1^ 


LETTERS  AND  PAPEES 


KELATINO   CIIIKFLY   TO    TIIK 


^roliiitcial  Distcrj  of  llnms^rlkiuct, 


WITH    SOME 


NOTICES  OF  THE  WrJTERS. 


PRIVATELY      PEINTKD. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

CRISSY  &  MAUKHY,  PKIiNTERS,  GOLDSMITHS  HALL,  LIBRARY  ST. 

1855. 


ENTERED    ACCORDING   TO    THE    ACT    OF    CONGRESS, 
in  the  year  1855,  by 

THOMAS     BALCH, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


>  , 


•     >  ^  •      •     -  » 


LIlUtAKY 
UNIVERSITY  Oi-     'ALIFORNl 
SANTA  I3AR13ARA 


rREFACE. 


Some  time  ago,  the  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania  passed  a 
resolution,  requesting  me  to  edit  certain  letters  written  by  Ciiief 
Justice  Shippen.  The  duty  was  begun,  but  in  the  course  of  its 
execution,  other  materials  were  tendered  to  me,  consisting  in  part 
of  the  'Shippen  MSS.'  in  the  archives  of  that  Society,  in  part  of 
masses  of  letters,  accounts,  and  other  papers  in  the  possession  of 
descendants  of  some  of  the  families  prominent  in  the  Province. 
The  interest  which  had  been  created  by  the  occupation  itself,  and 
the  desire  to  add  something  to  the  stores  of  the  future  historian  of 
this  State,  induced  me  to  sift  with  care  these  miscellaneous  MSS. 
and  to  print  such  as  were  of  some,  even  though  not  remarkable, 
value. 

The  greater  portion  of  them  are  purely  private  in  their  character. 
I  therefore  thought  it  well  to  print  only  a  very  small  number  of 
copies,  so  as  to  prevent  any,  except  those  connected  by  kindred 
♦  tics,'  from  obtaining  the  volume. 

I  have  endeavored  to  make  the  genealogical  notices,  and  also  the 
notes  appended  to  the  letters,  full  and  accurate.  In  my  efforts,  1 
have  been  greatly  assisted  by  Mr.  J.  F.  Fisher,  Mr.  Edward 
Shippen,  Mr.  Joseph  Swift,  Dr.  G.  W.  Norris,  Mr.  Samuel  Powel, 
and  other  gentlemen.  To  them  are  due  the  best  thanks,  not  only 
of  myself  as  Editor,  but  of  all  who  prize  an  honorable  ancestry, 
such  as  the  following  pages  disclose. 

Some  of  the  letters  relate  to  public  affairs,  and  aid  in  supplying 
gaps  in  Pennsylvania  history.  At  a  future  day  I  will  print  ex- 
tracts from  these. 

Fhiladelphia,  March,  1855. 


GENEALOGICAL   NOTICES 

OF 

THOSE  FAMILIES 

WHOSE    MEMBERS    HAVE,    MORE   OR   LESS,    CONTRIBUTED 

TO   TUE 

rOLLOWINa    CORRESPONDENCE. 


William  Shippen,*  of  Yorkshire,  England,  (gentleman,) 
had  issue — 

Two  sons^  which  died  young  : 

A  daughter,  m.  to   Mr.  Leybom-ae,  of  Yorkshire ;  she 
died  there  : 
He   had   also,    William  Shippen,  afterwards   Rector   of 

St.  Mary's  Church,  Stockport : 
Edward  Shippen,  b.  IGoO,  who  emigrated  to  America, 
and  was  the  founder  of  the  family  here.f 

*  MS.  Pedigrees  which  formerly  belonged  to  the  late  Judge 
Yeates,  Judge  Shippen,  E.  S.  ]5urd,  kc.  Bilile  Entries  of  Joseph 
Shippen,  (son  of  Edward,  the  emigrant,)  now  in  possession  of  Col. 
John  Hare  Powel.  Hazard's  Reg.  IV.  241,  (reprinting  from  the 
Portfolio:)  'A  gentleman  of  fortune  and  family,  in  the  county 
York.' 

j-  It  will  he  seen  by  the  following  pages  that  Mr.  Gris^vold  .has 
been  misled  [Republican  Court,  p.  15)  as  to  the  pedigree  of  Edward 
Shippen. 


The  particulars  of  the  first  William  Shippcn's  parentage, 
birth,  marriage,  death,  or  place  of  residence  are  unknown. 
In  the  Memoirs  of  James  Logan,*  his  son  Edward  is  made 
to  say,  that  'Alethey'  was,  at  the  time  of  his  birth,  the 
residence  of  his  father.  This,  however,  is  presumed  to  be 
a  misprint,  or  an  error  of  the  copyist ;  there  being  no  such 
place,  as  far  as  ascertained.  It  is  conjectured,  from  the 
name,  that  the  family  was  originally  of  Flemish  or  Dutch 
extraction ;  a  conjecture  to  which  some  countenance  is 
given  by  the  circumstance  that  the  part  of  Yorkshire  in 
which  Mr.  Shippen  is  supposed  to  have  lived, — that  lying 
between  Pontefract  and  Wakefield, — had  many  Flemish 
families  settled  in  it;  so  much  so,  that  Bigland,  says,"}" 
'The  Don.'  'This  last  part  is  called  the  Dutch  River, 
*  being  a  canal  cut  by  Cornelius  Vermuiden  and  his  Dutch 
'  and  Flemish  settlers.' 

That  the  vicinity  of  Pontefract  or  Wakefield  was  his  place 
of  residence,  appears  reasonably  certain  from  the  fact,  that 
his  son,  '  William,  was  elected  to  the  scholarship  in  Uni- 

*  Edward  Sliippen  was  father-in-law  to  Thomas  Story,  and  went 
early  into  Pennsylvania  from  Boston,  whither  he  had  gone  from 
England  in  1675.  There  he  was  persecuted  for  his  religion,  as  a 
Friend,  and  received  from  the  zealots  in  power,  a  public  whipping. 
He  was  very  successful  as  a  merchant  in  Philadelphia,  and  amassed 
a  large  fortune,  etc.  He  retained  a  strong  interest  towards  his  fel- 
low professors  in  old  England.  In  a  letter  to  William  Ellis,  dated 
27th  of  Seventh  Month,  1G99,  he  alludes  to  his  having  forwarded 
for  poor  Friends,  a  present  of  gold.  "I  have  sent  by  our  dear 
Friend,  Aaron  Atkinson,  12|  ozs.  of  gold.  It  cost  here  £76  10s. 
currency.  I  suppose  it  will  sell  in  Loudon  for  something  above  £50 
.  sterling,  the  which  I  have  desired  Aaron  to  sell :  and  I  leave  the 
disposing  of  it  to  thee  and  him,  among  poor  Friends,  where  there  is 
most  need,  and  where  it  may  be  most  helpful."  He  adds,  "  and  if 
there  be  a  meeting  at  Alethey,  where  I  was  born,  I  desire  to  know  ; 
and  whether  they  be  in  want." — 3Iemoirs  of  James  Logan,  by  Wil- 
son Armistead.     London,  1851,  p.  39,  (n.) 

f  ^History  of  Yorkshire,^  p.  900,  London,  no  date. — Thome. 


Tii 

'  vcrsity  College,  Oxford,  to  which  natives  of  Yorkshire  are, 
'  alone,  eligible ;  and  a  preference  is  given  in  the  first  in- 
'  stance,  by  the  college  statutes,  to  all  persons  who  are  either 
'  natives  of  those  localities,  or  who  have  been  educated  at  the 

*  Grammar  School,  in  one  of  those  two  towns.'* 

1653,  May  20,  his  son,  the  Rev.  William  Siiippen,  was 

matriculated  at  University  College,  Oxford. 
165G,  January  29  :  took  his  degree  of  A.  B.f 
1657,  July  22,  elected  to  Scholarship. 
1659,  June  16,  elected  Fellow  of  Union  College. 
1659,  received  degree  of  A.  M. 
1663,  elected  Proctor. 
1668,  resigned. 

'He  was  afterwards  Proctor  of  the  University,  1664, J 
'  and  at  length  Rector  of  Stockport  in  Cheshire  ;  and  author 

*  of  "  the  Christian's  Triumph  over  Death,"  a  sermon 
'  preached  at  the  funeral  of  Richard  Leigh,  Esq.  He  is 
'  D.  D.  not  of  this  University,  if  I  mistake  not,  but  by  the 
'  diploma  of  Dr.  Wm.  Sancroft,  Archbishop-  of  Canter- 
'  bury.'  § 

The  family  here  have  no  information  as  to  the  date  of  his 
birth  or  marriage.  He  died  in  1693,  and  was  buried  under 
the  chancel  of  the  Church.  From  what  Lord  Mahon  says,  || 
he  was  probably  not  a  man  of  wealth,  but  left  rather  an 
indifferent  estate. 

*  Rev.  Dr.  Gresswell  to  Bishop  Doane.  MS.  in  possession  of  Mr. 
J.  Francis  Fisher. 

t  2  Wood's  Fasti  Oxon.  125. 

X  Ibid,  111,  157. 

§  Extracts  from  Printed  Register  of  Oxford.  Dr.  Gresswell.  MS. 
2  Wood  cit.  ante,  125. 

II  History  of  England,  (3d  ed.)  III.  p.  30 


In  the  Bible-entries  of  his  nephew,  Joseph  Shippen,  son 
of  Edward,  it  is  stated,  *  My  relations  in  England  are  my 
'  uncle,  William  Shippen' s  children  : 

'  1.  Robert  Shippen,  Doctor  of  Divinity. 

'  2.  William  Shippen,  Doctor  of  Law,  and  a  parliament- 
man. 

'  3.  Edward  Shippen,  a  Physician. 

'  4.  John  Shippen,  a  Spanish  merchant.' 

1.  Robert  Shippen,  of  Brazennose  College,  Ox- 
ford, received  1693,  July  22,  the  degree  of  A.  M. 

1699,  July  4,  made  D.  D.,  and  was  subsequently  prin- 
cipal of  Brazennose,  and  Vice  Chancellor  of  Oxford  Uni- 
versity. There  is  said  to  be  a  fine  bust  and  monument  of 
him,  yet  remaining  in  that  College,  There  appears  to  have 
been  a  certain  degree  of  intimacy  between  Robert  and  his 
cousin  Joseph ;  but  his  letters,  as  well  as  those  of  Joseph, 
are  lost.  His  bookplate  is  preserved  in  the  American 
branch  of  the  family,  and  bears  underneath  the  coat  of 
arms,  the  following  inscription  : 

"  Robertus  Shippen.  S.  T.  P." 
"  Coll.  iEn  :  Nas :  Principalis." 

2.  William  Shippen,  the  "  downright  Shippen  " 
of  Pope,*  the  famous  leader  of  the  Jacobites,  m.  Frances 
Stote,  d.  of  Sir  Richard  Stotc  f  Of  him  and  his  wife 
Lord  Mahon  thus  speaks  : 

'  Shippen,  whom  the  public  voice  still  proclaimed  as 
*  the  great  leader  of  the  Jacobites,  was  thought  by  them 

*  I  love  to  pour  out  all  myself,  as  plain 

As  downright  Shippen,  or  as  old  iMontaigne. 

Pope. 

*  Burke's  Landed  Gentry,  s.  v.  Bewicke.  Mr.  Burke  calls  him 
'William  Shippen,  the  patriot.' 


'  so  weak  as  to  be  left  out  of  all  their  consultations.*  Ship- 
'  pen,  at  this  timejf  was  sixty-eight,  and  his  energy,  pcr- 
'  haps,  much  impaired. J  But  as  it  seems  to  rac,  even  his 
'  earlier  reputation  grew  much  more  from  his  courage,  his 
'  incompatibility,  his  goodhumored  frankness  of  purpose, 
'  than  from  any  superior  eloquence  or  talent.  Horace  Wal- 
'  pole,  the  younger,  describes  his  speeches  as  spirited  in  sen- 

*  timent,  but  generally  uttered  in  a  low  tone  of  voice,  with 
'  too  great  rapidity,  and  with  his  glove  held  before  his 
'  mouth  :  §  certainly  not  the  portrait  of  a  great  orator.  It 
'  is  said,  that  he  had  some  skill  in  poetry,  yet  it  does  not 
'  seem  that  he  was  known  or  prized  by  any  of  the  eminent 
'  men  out  of  the  House  of  Commons.  His  father  was  Rector 
'  of  Stockport,  and  his  paternal  inheritance  had  been  small : 
'  he  acquired,  however,  an  ample  fortune  by  marriage.  His 
'  wife  was  extremely  penurious,  and,  as  a  relation  gently 
'  expressed  it,  "with  a  peculiarity  of  temper,||  and  unwil- 
'  ling  to  mix  in  society.  She  was  much  noticed  by  Queen 
'  Caroline,  but  steadily  declined  all  connection  with  the 
'  Court,  Shippen,  himself,  like  Pulteney,  was  not  free  from 
'  the  taint  of  avarice ;  when  not  attending  Parliament,  he 
'  lived  chiefly  in  a  hired  house  on  llichmond  Hill,  and  it  is 

*  remarkable,  that  neither  of  these  distinguished  politicians, 
'  though  each  wealthy,  possessed  that  chief  pride  and  delight 
'  of  an  English  gentleman,  a  country  seat."  '^ 

*  History  of  England,  III.  p.  30.  (3d  ed.)  and  auth's  cit. 

t  1740. 

X  Stuart  papers.     Lord  Sempill's  Letter,  June  loth,  1740. 

§  Coxe's  Memoirs  of  AValpole.  I.  G72. 

II  Judge  Willes,  her  grand  nephew.      Coxe's   Walpolc,   I.  673. 
Shippen  survived  her  several  years,  in  full  possession  of  her  fortune. 

^  Coxe's  Walpole,  I.  673.     As  to  Pulteney,  see  Pope  to  Swift, 
May  17,  1739— Swift's  Works,  XIX.  291. 

1* 


Whether  or  not,  Lord  Mahon,  who  claims  to  present  a 
fair  and  impartial  narrative  to  his  readers,  has  done  full 
justice  to  Shippeu,  may  be  a  question.  That  Shippen  pos- 
sessed, in  a  high  degree,  all  the  virtues  ascribed  to  him  by 
the  historian,  is,  of  course,  unquestionable.  The  courage 
and  integrity  which  animated  him  in  such  dangerous  and 
agitated  times,  were  truly  noble ;  such  as  neither  danger  could 
daunt,  nor  temptation  undermine,  nor  discouragement  dimi- 
nish.*    With  what  a  fine  spirit  does  he  protest  against  a 

*  '  For  my  part  I  am  not  ashamed  nor  afraid  to  affirm,  that  thirty 

*  years  have  made  no  change  in  any  of  my  political  opinions ;  I  am 
'  now  grown  old  in  this  house,  but  that  experience  which  is  the  con- 
'  sequence  of  age  has  only  confirmed  the  principles  Avith  which  I 
'  enter'd  it  many  years  ago  ;  time  has  verified  the  predictions  which 
'  I  formerly  utter'd,  and  I  have  seen  my  conjectures  ripen'd  into 
'  knowledge.  I  should  be  therefore  without  excuse,  if  either  terror 
'  covild  affright,  or  the  hope  of  advantage  allure  me  from  the  decla- 
'  ration  of  my  opinions ;  opinions,  which  I  was  not  deterred  from 
'  asserting,  when  the  prospect  of  a  longer  life  than  I  can  now  ex- 

*  pect  might  have  added  to  the  temptations  of  ambition,  or  aggra- 

*  vated  the  terrors  of  poverty  and  disgrace  ;  opinions,  for  which  I 
'  would  willingly  have  suffered  the  severest  censures,  even  when  I 

*  had  espoused  them  only  in  compliance  with  reason,  without  the 
'  infallible  certainty  of  experience.  Of  truth  it  has  been  always 
'  observed.   Sir,   that  every  day  adds  to  its  establishment,  and  that 

*  falshoods,  however  specious,  however  supported  by  power,  or  esta- 
'  blished  by  confederacies,  are  unable  to  stand  before  the  stroke  of 

*  time :  Against  the  inconveniences  and  vexations  of  long  life,  may 
'  be  set  the  pleasure  of  discovering  truth,  perhaps  the  only  pleasure 
'  that  age  affords.  Nor  is  it  a  slight  satisfaction  to  a  man  not 
'  utterly  infatuated  or  depraved,  to  find  opportunities  of  rectifying 
'  his  notions,  and  regulating  his  conduct  by  new  lights.  But  much 
'  greater  is  the  happiness  of  that  man,  to  whom  every  day  brings  a 
'  new  proof  of  the  reasonableness  of  his  former  determinations,  and 

*  who  finds,  by  the  most  unerring  test,  that  his  life  has  been  spent 
'  in  promotion  of  doctrines  beneficial  to  mankind.  This,  Sir.  is  the 
'  happiness  which  I  new  enjoy,  and  for  which  those  who  never  shall 
'  attain  it,  must  look  for  an  equivalent  in  lucrative  employments, 
'  honorary  titles,  pompous  equipages,  and  splendid  palaces.  These, 
'  Sir,  are  the  advantages  which  are  to  be  gained  by  a  seasonable 
'  variation  of  principles,  and  by  a  ready  compliance  with  the  pre- 
'  vailing  fashion  of  opinions ;  advantages,  which  I  indeed  cannot 
^  envy,  when  they  are  purchased  at  so  high  a  price.' — Debates  in 
Parliament,  (1741-2,)  pp.  102,  103. 


standing  army,  though  his  earnest  efforts  against  '  a  bunlcn 
'  heavy  and  dangerous  to  the  people  '  had  so  often  failed. 
'Sir;  I  now  stand  up  to  make  my  anniversary  oration 
'  against  a  standing  army.     I  have  made  one  and  twenty 

Shippcn's  character  and  conduct  are  so  well  illustrated  in  the 
report  of  the  proceedings,  when  he  was  sent  to  the  Tower,  that  I 
can  not  forbear  givinj;  it.  Parlt.  Debates,  1717,  Dec.  4,  p.  20,  &c. 
'In  this  speech,  Jlr.  Shippcn  overshot  himself  so  far  in  hi.s  ex- 
pressions, as  to  give  too  much  advantage  against  him,  to  such  as 
perhaps  were  not  over-backward  to  lay  hold  of  it :  His  words  that 
gave  the  offence  were  to  the  following  purpose,  That  the  second 
paragraph  of  the  Kings'  speech  seemed  rather  to  be  calculated  for  the 
7nercdian  of  Germany,  than  Great  Britain  ;  and  that  ^ticas  a  great 
misfortune,  That  the  King  was  a  Stranger  to  our  language  and  con- 
stitution. These  expressions  gave  offence  to  several  members,  and 
in  particular  to  Mr.  Lechmere,  who  having  taken  them  down  in 
writing,  urged,  '  That  those  words  were  a  scandalous  invective 
against  the  King's  person  and  government,  of  which  the  house 
ought  to  shew  the  highest  resentment,  and  therefore  moved,  That 
the  member  who  spoke  those  offensive  words  should  be  sent  to  the 
Tower.'  Mr.  Lechmere  was  seconded  by  Mr.  Couper,  brother  to 
the  Lord  Chancellor,  and  back'd  by  Sir  Joseph  Jekijll,  and  some 
others  :  Upon  which  Mr.  Robert  Walpole  said,  '  That  if  the  words 
in  question  were  spoken  by  the  member  on  whom  they  were 
charged,  the  Tower  was  too  light  a  punishment  for  his  rashness  ; 
but'  as  what  he  had  said  in  the  heat  of  this  debate  might  have 
been  misunderstood,  he  was  for  allowing  him  the  liberty  of  ex- 
plaining himself.'  Mr.  Snell,  Mr.  Hutchinson,  and  some  other 
gentlemen,  spoke  also  in  behalf  of  Mr.  Shippen,  intending,  chiefly, 
to  give  him  an  opportunity  of  retracting  or  excusing  what  he 
had  said;  which  Mr.  Shippen  not  thinking  proper  to  do,  several 
speeches  were  made  upon  the  question,  AYhether  the  words  taken 
down  in  writing  were  the  same  as  had  been  spoken  ?  A  gentleman 
having  suggested,  That  there  was  no  precedent  of  a  censure  passed 
on  a  member  of  the  house,  for  words  spoken  in  a  Committee,  Sir 
Charles  Hotham  produced  instances  of  the  contrary;  and,  on  the 
other  hand,  Mr.  Shippen  having  maintained  what  he  had  ad- 
vanced, it  was,  at  last,  resolved  by  a  majority  of  196  voices 
against  about  100,  That  the  words  taken  down  in  writing  were 
spoken  by  Mr.  Shippen.  It  was  then  about  nine  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  and  it  being  moved  and  carried.  That  the  Chairman  leave 
the  chair ;  Mr.  Speaker  resumed  his  place,  and  Mr.  Farrer 
reported  from  the  said  Committee,  '  That  exceptions  having  been 
taken  to  some  words  spoken  in  the  Committee,  by  William  Ship- 
pen,  Esq.,  a  member  of  the  house,  the  Committee,  had  directed 
him  to  report  the  words  to  the  house.'  Which  being  done  accord- 
ingly,  and  caudles  ordered   to  be  brought  in,  Mr.   Shipj^eri  was 


'  already,  of  which  fifteen  have  never  been  seconded,  and 
'  this  will  probably  be  tlic  sixteenth.'*  Not  the  less,  though, 
was  he  bound  to  do  his  duty. 

But  courage,  integrity  and  good  temper,  though  sufficient 
to  render  him  a  prominent  actor  amongst  the  Jacobites,  were 
not  enough  to  constitute  him  their  leader  in  9.  body  like  the 
House  of  Commons ;  that  too,  during  a  long  service  of 
many  years,  with  such  men  as  Walpole,  Pultney,  Stanhope, 
Barnard,  as  associates  and  antagonists.  He  must  have 
had,  as  the  debates  fully  show,  both  the  sagacity  and  the 
eloquence  of  an  accomplished  statesman. 

Perhaps  Lord  Mahou's  judgment  was  warped  by  the  fact, 
that  Shippen  was  at  the  head  of  the  commission  appointed 
to  examine  and  sift  General  Stanhope's  accounts,  as  Envoy 
and  as  Commander-in-Chief. f  However  candid  or  correct 
his  recital  may  be  as  to  other  matters,  it  looses  those  cha- 
racteristics whenever  the  individual  or  the  subject  touches 
the  house  of  Stanhope  or  the  American  Revolution. |  His 
partiality  for  his  family  is  a  weakness  excusable  in  the  eyes 
of  many ;  and  harmless,  except  where  it  presents  his  story 

'  heard  in  his  place,  and  then  withdrew.  After  this  it  was  moved, 
'  that  the  question  might  bo  put,  '  That  the  words  spoken  '  by  Wil- 
'  Ham  S/ifppen,  Esq.,  (a  member  of  this  house)  are  highly  dishonor - 
'  able  to,  and  unjustly  reflecting  on  his  Majesty's  person  and  govern- 
'  ment."  Which  occasioned  a  debate  that  lasted  'till  past  11  o'clock  ; 
'  when  the  question  being  put,  was  carried  in  the  affirmative  by  175 
'  voices  against  81  ;  and  thereupon  ordered,  'That  William  S/iip- 
'  pen,  Esq.  be,  for  the  said  offence,  committed  prisoner  to  his  Ma- 
'  jesty's  Tower  of  London,  and  that  Mr.  Speaker  do  issue  his  war- 
'  rant  accordingly.'  —  Debates  in  rarliameid,  1717-21,  (Dec.  4, 
1717,)  p.  20. 

*  Parlt.  Debates,  1739.  p.  188.  See  also  his  speech  in  favor  of 
Triennial  Parliaments. — Debates  in  Parliament,  171G,  p.  454. 

f  1  Mahon's  Eng.  109. 

"l  Some  of  the  errors  as  to  this  country,  to  be  found  in  his  work, 
have  been  exposed  by  that  learned  and  accurate  American  An- 
tiquary, Mr.  Peter  Force,  in  an  able  and  severe  critique. 


to  the  injury  of  others.  Such  is  the  case  as  to  the  cha- 
racter -which  he  has  drawn  of  this  '  I'arlianient  man ;'  * 
and  though  not  disposed,  to  use  his  own  words,  and  say 
'  that  it  implies  not  merely  literary  failure,  hut  moral 
guilt  j'f  we  may  at  least  protest  against  the  manner  in  which 
he  appears  to  '  lower  the  fame  of  a  political  adversary. '| 

3.  Edward  Shippen,  of  Brazennose  College, 
received  1693,  July  22,  the  degree  of  A.  M.  He  was  a 
Physician,  and  is  supposed  to  have  married,  Frances,  d. 
of  Peter  Leigh,  of  Lyme,  widow  of  Sir  Gilbert  Clarke. § 

4.  John  Sfiippen,  was,  as  already  stated,  accord- 
ing to  his  cousin  Joseph's  bible-entries,  a  Spanish  mer- 
chant; and  was  baptized  1G78,  July  5,  by  his  father,  in 
Mary's  Church,  at  Stockport;  and  was  British  Consul  at 
Lisbon, 

It  would  also  seem  that  he  had  a  daughter  named  Anne  ; 
for  Edward  Willes,  son  of  the  Lord  Chief  Justice  Willes, 
m.  Anne  niece  of  William  Shippen,  M.  P,  She  d.  1799, 
leaving  issue.  || 

*  '  Honest  Will  Sliippen,'  as  lie  Teas  called,  or  'DoTrnriglitSliip- 
pen,'  as  Pope  terms  him,  was  a  zealous  Jacobite  member  of  parlia- 
ment, possessed  of  considerable  talents,  and  a  vehement  opposer  of 
Sir  Robert  Walpole's  government.  He,  hovrcver,  did  justice  to  that 
able  minister,  for  he  -was  a-ccustomed  to  say,  '  Robin  and  I  are 
honest  men  ;  but  as  for  those  fellows  in  long  perriwig.s'  (meaning 
the  Tories  of  the  day,)  'they  only  want  to  get  into  office  them- 
selves.' He  was  the  author  of  a  satirical  poem,  entitled,  'Faction 
Displayed,'  which  possesses  consideral)le  merit — D.  [Shippen 
was  born  in  1G7'2,  and  died  in  1743.  Sir  Robert  Walpole  re- 
peatedly declared,  that  he  would  not  say  who  was  corrupted,  but 
he  would  say  who  was  not  corruptible — that  man  was  Shi]>pcn. 
His  speeches  generally  contained  some  pointed  period,  which  he 
uttered  with  great  animation.  He  usually  spoke  in  a  low  tone  of 
voice,  with  too  great  rapidity,  and  held  his  glove  before  his  mouth. 
— Horace  Walpolts  letters,  ed.  by  Lord  Dover,  I.  101,  (note.) 
London,  1840. 

I  1  Mahon.  Tntrod.  2. 
X  1  Mahon.  Tntrod.  2. 

\  Burke's  Land.  Gent.  s.  v.  Tatton. 

II  Burke's  Land.  Gent.     s.  v.  Willes. 


Ed',vard  SmrrEN,  son  of  the  first  mentioned  William,  and 
tlie  founder  of  the  family  in  America, 
1639,  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England, 

1668,  emigrated  to  Boston  :  persecuted  into  removing 
1693-4,  to  Philadelphia,  where, 

1712,  October  2d,  he  died,  JE.  73. 

Of  his  history  in  England,  nothing  is  known  except 
that  he  was  bred  to  mercantile  pursuits,  in  which  he  en- 
gaged after  his  arrival  in  Boston :  very  successfully  too, 
as  it  appears,  that  he  was,  on  removing  to  Philadelphia, 
computed  to  be  worth  at  least  £10,000  stg. — a  sum  by 
no  means  inconsiderable  in  those  days,  particularly  in  a  new 
country.  His  sagacity  and  ability  largely  increased  his  for- 
tune during  his  residence  in  Philadelphia. 

1669.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable 
Artillery  Company,  and  in 

1671,  married  Elizabeth  Lybrand;  which  marriage,  it 
is  conjectured,  led  to  his  embracing  Quakerism  :  and,  so 
zealous  was  the  convert,  that  we  find 

1677,  Aug't  16.  Governor  Coddington  of  Rhode  Island, 
in  a  letter  from  Boston,  under  this  date,  mentions  that  on 
the  9th  of  that  month,  Shippen,  together  with  others,  was 
arrested  for  attending  Friends  meeting,  and  'publickly 
'whipped,  and  again  on  the  next  day  of  Public  worship, 
*  when  he  suffered  in  the  same  way.'  That  Shippen  had 
the  courage  not  only  to  suffer  as  a  martyr,  but  also  to  defy 
his  oppressors,  is  shown  by  the  following  extract  from 
Thomas  Story's  Journal.* 

*  Thomas  Story's  Journal.  Lonrlon  1718,  pp.  195-6.  See  also 
pp.  223-20.     See  also  Souther's  Com.  Place  Book. 


1699.     'And  the  next  day,  accompanied  by  some  fricndi=!, 

*  we  went  to  Boston  :  near  which,  on  a  green,  we  observed  a 
'  pair  of  gallows ;  and  being  told,  .that  was  the  place  where 

*  several  of  our  friends  suffered  death  for  the  truth,  and  had 
'  been  thrown  into  a  hole,  we  rode  a  little  out  of  our  way  to 
'  see  it :  which  was  a  kind  of  pit,  near  the  gallows,  and  full 
'  of  water,  but  two  posts  at  each  end,  which  had  been  set 
'  there  by   Edward   Shippen   of  Philadelphia,   a  reputable 

*  Friend,  formerly  of  Boston  :  who  would  have  erected  some 
'  more  lasting  monument  there,  with  leave  of  the  magistrates, 
'  but  they  were  not  willing  :  since  it  would  too  frequently 
'  and  long  bring  to  remembrance  that  great  error  of  their 
'  ancestors,  which  could  not  now  be  repaired  :  so  that  he  had 
'  only  leave  to  put  down  those  posts,  to  keep  the  place  in 
'remembrance,  till  something  further  might  be  done,  at  a 
'  time  when  it  might  be  less  obnoxious.' 

Great  as  were  the  persecutions  which  he,  together  with 
his  imfoi'tunate  fellow  '  sectaries,'  endured  at  the  hands 
of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  and  their  descendants,  -yet  he  con- 
tinued in  Boston  ;  for 

1687,  Sept.  12,  during  Andross'  usurpation,  he  pre- 
sented a  petition  to  Sir  Edmund,  upon  consideration  of 
which  the  following  order  was  made  : 

'That  whereas  Edward   Shippen  of   Boston,  IMcrchant, 

*  hath  by  his  petition  set  forth  that  for  many  years  past  he, 
'  and  those  under  whom  he  claims,  have  been  possessed  of 
'  a  certain  house  and  ground  wherein  he  now  liveth  :  one 
'other  house  and  ground  in  the  occupation  of  Thomns 
'  Savage  :  one  other  house  and  ground  in  the  occupation  of 
'  George  Dawson:  several  warehouses  and  grounds  belonging 
'thereto;  and  about  four  acres  of  ground  in  pasture;  all 
'  within  the  town  of  Boston ;  and  moreover  petitions  to  have 


'  them  confirmed  to  him  :  Whereupon  the  Governor,  Sir 
'  Edmund  Audross,  ordered  them  to  be  surveyed,  so  that  a 
'  patent  for  them  might  be  granted  unto  him.'* 

Besides  the  above  mentioned  houses,  warehouses,  lots 
and  pasture,  there  belonged  to  Mr.  Shippcn  several  wharves, 
somewhere  near  Fanueil  Hall,  known  in  the  last  century  as 
'  Shippen's  Wharves;'  but  now  far  inland,  and  covered 
by  well  built  streets,  in  consequence  of  the  extensive  fillings 
up,  which  have  so  much  expanded  the  limits  of  Boston. 

1689-90,  March  14.  It  appears  from  the  record  of  the 
Council  and  General  Court,  '  that  Mr.  Edward  Shippcn, 
'  now  intending  a  journey  to  Pennsylvania,  be  desired  to  pur- 
'  chase  fifty  barrels  of  gunpowder,  if  there  to  be  had ;  and 
'  more,  if  it  can  be  bought  at  a  reasonable  rate.'  A  very  sin- 
gular commission :  one  more  suitable  to  th«  ancient  artil- 
leryman than  the  twice-flogged  Quaker. 

1G92,  June  16.  Mr.  Shippcn  is  mentioned  as  the  bearer 
of  letters  from  Easton,  Secretary  of  Rhode  Island,f  to 
Addington,  Secretary  of  Massachusetts. | 

1693-4.  The  persecutions  of  the  Quakers  in  Boston 
reached  such  a  pitch,  that  Mr.  Shippcn  was  driven  into 
taking  refuge  in  Pennsylvania. § 

It  may  have  been  that  he  was  banished,  such  having  been 
a  usual  mode  of  punishing  the  Quakers;  or  as  these  *jail- 
'ings,  whippings,  and  banishments'  were  frequent,  and 
occurred  '  in  season  and  out  of  season,'  not  only  in  conse- 

*  Petitions  of  this  kind  -were  abundant  about  this  time,  as  Go- 
Ternor  Andross  denied  that  the  holders  of  Real  Estate  had  any  legal 
claim  to  it.     J.  B.  Felt. 

f  Mr.  Shippen  had  married  his  second  wife  in  Rhode  Island, 
about  a  year  before  this,  as  will  be  presently  seen. 

J  Mr.  J.  B.  Felt  says  he  can  find  no  further  records. 

§  Dr.  W.  E.  Horner  says,  'he  was  invited  by  Penn.'  Address, 
^T.  in  Hazard's  Reg.  X.  G6. 


quence  of  provocations  by  the  Quakers  themselves,  but  on 
the  mere  *  appearance  of  a  meteor  in  the  heavens/  Mr. 
Shippen  may  have  grown  'weary  of  well  doing'  as  a  mar- 
tjT,  and  so  betaken  himself  to  a  government  less  disposed 
'  to  promote  the  Reformation  of  manners.'* 

It  would  seem  to  have  taken  him  about  a  year  to  effect  the 
disposal  of  his  estate  in  Boston,  and  transfer  it  to  Philadel- 
phia. In  this  latter  city,  Mr.  Shippen's  wealth  and  character 
speedily  obtained  for  him  such  position  and  influence,  that 

1695,  July  9th,  he  was  elected  speaker  of  the  Assem- 
bly :  and  William  Penn  named  him  in  the  Charter, 

1701,  Octr.  25,  as  the  first  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia. Penn,  as  is  well  known,  gave  the  most  anxious 
consideration  to  his  selection  of  officers  to  govern  the  new 
city.  He  thoroughly  appreciated  the  importance  of  a  cor- 
rect choice.  It  was,  to  borrow  a  military  phrase,  the  base- 
line of  his  operations.  The  success  of  his  whole  enterprise 
turned  upon  it :  the  consciousness  of  which,  apart  from  any 
other  motives,  political  or  philanthropic,  was  sufficient  to 
stimulate  him  to  the  utmost  caution  and  deliberation  in  his 
choice  of  incumbents.  In  Shippen,  he  found  a  man  of  cou- 
rage, energy,  integrity,  intelligence  and  sagacity;  whose 
unspotted  moral  character  was  ample  earnest  to  the  citizens, 
that  the  executive  power  would  be  exercised  with  the  strictest 
justice  and  fidelity;  whose  active  business  habits  and  bravery 
equally  assured  them  of  the  chief  magistrate's  resolution 

*  Oldmixon.  Vol.  I.  p.  112.  '  Another  persecution.  I  must  not 
'  forget,  that  upon  the  appearance  of  a  meteor  here,  the  magistrates 
'  "wrote  a  circular  letter  to  the  Elders  and  Ministers  of  every  town,  to 
'  promote  the  reformation  of  manners — a  good  work  certainly  with 
'  or  without  a  comet,  which  if  it  prognosticates  any  thing,  I  should 
'  rather  incline  to  think  it  ought  not  to  be  applycd  to  a  new  persc- 
'  cution  of  Baptists  and  Quakers,  whom  they  did  not  indeed  hang, 
'  but  ruined  many  honest  men,  says  the  Reverend  historian,  by 
*  fines,  imprisomeuts  and  banishment,'  &c. 


and   promptness :    wliilst    bis    high    social   position   gave 
dignity  to  the  office. 

1702-4.  He  was  President  of  the  Governor's  Council. 
In  this  last  year,  he  contracted  his  third  marriage,  which  • 
led  to  his  separation  from  the  Society  of  Friends.  After 
which  he  appears  to  have  retired  altogether  from  public 
life  ;  except  that  he  continued  to  advise  upon  public  affairs, 
as  we  find  from  Penn's  letter,  dated  24th  5th  mo.  1712, 
where  Mr.  Shippen  is  addressed,  in  connection  with  I.  Norris, 
T.  Story,  &c.* 

1712,  Octr.  2  :  He  died  in  Philadelphia,  aged  73. 

No  one  could  wish  to  detract  in  the  slightest  degree  from 
Penn's  merits ;  but  we  are  taught  to  render  '  honor  to 
'  whom  honor  is  due.'  In  doing  so,  we  must  needs  say  that 
a  great,  if  not  the  greatest  portion  of  the  glory  of  building 
up  the  Commonwealth  which  was  '  founded  by  deeds  of 
'  peace'  is  due  to  Shippen,  Norris,  and  Logan,  and  men  like 
them  :  the  men,  who  here,  in  the  new  country  itself,  fostered 
commerce,  developed  the  resources  of  the  province,  set  the 
best  of  examples,  by  disdaining  no  proper  toil  in  their 
respective  vocations,  yet  neglected  not  the  refinements  and 
graces  of  letters  and  polite  society.f 

*  1  Watson's  Annals,  83.     He  also  served  in  the  City  Councils. 

Watson  makes  an  error,  I.  523.  He  says  that  in  1709,  Mr. 
Shippen  petitioned  Common  Council  to  remit  a  fine  of  £7  10  for  an 
assault  and  battery  on  Thos.  Clark,  Esq.,  one  half  remitted  on  his 
paying  other  half.  It  was  Edward  Shippen,  Junr. — Minutes  of 
Council,  p.  03. 

f  The  folloTviug  extracts  serve  to  show  the  style  in  -which  Mr. 
Shippen  lived : 

'  There  are  very  fine  and  delightful  gardens  and  orchards  in  most 
*  pai-ts  of  this  country ;  but  Edward  Shippen,  who  lives  near  the 
'  capital  city,  has  an  orchard  and  gardens  adjoining  to  his  Great 
'  House,  that  equalizes,  if  not  exceeds,  any  I  have  ever  seen  ;  having 
'  a  very  famous  and  pleasant  summer-house  erected  in  the  middle 
'  of  his  extraordinary  fine  and  large  gardens  abounding  with  tulips, 
'  pinks,  carnations,  roses  (of  several  sorts),  lilies,  not  to  mention 


1G71.     Edward   Shippen's   first  wife   was    Elizabeth 
Lybrand  of  Boston.     They  bad  issue, 

1.  Frances,  b.  at  Boston,  Feb.  2, 1G72.    d  April  9,  1673. 

2.  Edward,  b.         "         Octr.  2,  1G74.     d.  Nov.  2, 1674. 

3.  William,  b.       "        Octr.  4, 1675.     d.  1676. 

4.  Eliza,  b.  Augt.,  1676     d.  an  infant. 

5.  Edward,  b.  at  Boston,  Dec.  10,  1677-8. 

d.  at  Philadelpbia  Dec'r.  26,  1712  : 
He  married  Anna  Francina  Vandcrbeyden,  near  Bohe- 
mia River,  Maryland,  daughter  of  Matthias  and  Anna 
Margaret  Vanderheyden.*  They  had  issue,  one  daugh- 
ter, Slargaret,  m.  to  John  Jekyll,  Esq.  a  younger 
Brother  of  Sir  Joseph  Jehyllj  (Master  of  the  Ilolls  and 
Secretary  of  State  to  Queen  Anne,)  then  Collector  of 
the  port  of  Boston.  After  Mr.  Jekyll's  death,  she 
lived,  as  a  widow  till  about  the  year  1750,  in  Phila- 
delphia,"}" where  she  died.     She  was  handsome,  wealthy 

'  those  that  grow  in  the  fields.' — Gabriel  Thomas'  Account  of  Penn- 
sylvania— London,  1G98.  p.  43. 

'This  venerable  edifice  long  bore  the  name  of  "the  Governor's 
'  "  House."  It  was  built  in  the  early  rise  of  the  city — received  then 
•  the  name  of  "Shippey's  Great  House,"  while  Shippen  himself  was 
'proverbially  distinguished  for  three  great  things — "the  biggest 
'  "person,  the  biggest  house,  and  the  biggest  coach." 

'  It  was  for  many  yeai's  after  its  construction  beautifully  situated, 
'  and  surrounded  with  rural  beauty,  being  originally  on  a  small  emi- 
'  nence,  with  a  row  of  tall  yellow  pines  in  its  rear,  a  full  orchard  of 
'  best  fruit  trees  close  hj,  overlooking  the  rising  city  beyond  the 
'  Dock  creek,  and  having  on  its  front  view  a  beautiful  green  lawn, 
'  gently  sloping  to  the  then  pleasant  Dock  creek  and  Drawbridge, 
'  and  the  whole  prospect  unobstructed  to  the  Delaware  and  the 
'  Jersey  shore.  It  was  indeed  a  princely  place  for  that  day,  and 
'  caused  the  honest  heart  of  Gabriel  Thomas  to  overfloAV  at  its  recol- 
'  tion,  as  he  spoke  of  it  in  the  year  1698.' — Watson,  (2  ed. )  I.  308. 

*  Her  sister  Ariana  was  m.  to  .James  Frisby,  of  Sassafras  River, 
Md.  Mrs.  Shippen  was  godmother  to  their  child,  Francina  Augus- 
tina  Frisby. — MS.  pedigree  compiled  by  Judye  Brice  of  Baltimore, 
now  in  possession  of  Dr.  Caspar  Morris,  of  PhiladelpLia. 

f  In  Second  street,  just  below  the  Shippen  or  Government  House, 
in  a  house  still  standing;  after  her  death  the  residence  of  Thomas 
Fisher,  grandfather  to  J.  Francis  Fisher,  Esq. 


and  very  fashionable.*     Of  her  descendants  there  is 

found  only  the  following, 
1758,  July  19.     Fanny   Jckyll  was  m.  to  William,  son 

of  Edward  Hicks,  Esq.f 
A  Mr.  Jekyll  also  appears  as  one  of  the  subscribers  to  the 

'  Falls  Fishery/  17G3.J 

*  'I  Lave  also  preserved  a  card  of  admission,  of  the  year  1749, 
'  addressed  to  Mrs.  Jeykell,  a  lady  of  pre-eminent  fashion  and 
'  beauty,  the  then  leading  lady  of  the  ton.  She  was  the  grand- 
'  daughter  of  the  first  Edward  Shippen,  a  mayor,  merchant,  and 

*  Quaker.  She  was  married  to  the  brother  of  Sir  Joseph  Jeykell, 
'  the  secretary  of  Queen  Anne ;  and  when  in  her  glory  in  Philadel- 

*  phia,  she  dwelt  in  and  owned  the  house  next  southward  of  "  Ed- 
'  "ward  Shippen's  great  house"  in  south  Second  street,  where  is 
'now  Nicholas  Wain's  row.' — Watson,  (2  ed.)  I.  285. 

f  Chief  Justice  Shippen  to  his  Father.     July  20,  1758. 

J  The  MS.  list  of  subscribers,  the  rules  to  govern  them,  and  'a 
'  bill  of  fare'  of  one  of  their  entertainments,  are  worthy  of  preser- 
vation.    They  are  as  follows: 

'A  List  of  Gentlemen  proposed  to  be  subscribers  to  the  Mount 
Regale  Fishing  Company  for  17G3. 
Ilis  Honour  The  Governor,      21.  Mr.  Allen, 


1.  Mr.  Gilbert  Berkley, 

2.  Mr.  Benj.  Chew, 

3.  Mr.  AVill.  Coxe, 

4.  Mr.  John  Coxe, 

5.  Mr.  Redmond  Conyngham, 
G.  Mr.  David  Franks, 

7.  Mr.  Tench  Francis, 

8.  Mr.  John  Gibson, 

9.  Mr.  T.  Gilbert, 

10.  Mr.  B.  Levy, 

11.  Mr.  Arch.  McCall, 

12.  Mr.  John  Lawrence, 

13.  Mr.  John  Relfe, 

14.  Mr.  Edward  Shippen, 

15.  Mr.  Richard  Stevens, 

16.  Mr.  George  Smith, 

17.  Mr.  Jos.  Swift, 

18.  Mr.  Tilghman, 
10.  Mr.  T.  Lloyd, 
20.  Dr.  Shippen,  Jr., 

42.  Mr.  Alex. 


22.  Mr.  Bache, 

23.  Mr.  Clymer, 

24.  Mr.  Chapman, 

25.  Mr.  Clifton, 

26.  Mr.  Dickinson, 

27.  Mr.  Turbutt  Francis, 

28.  Mr.  Hopkinson, 

29.  Mr.  Jeykill, 

30.  Mr.  Kidd, 

31.  Mr.  Chalmers, 

32.  Mr.  Meredith, 

33.  Mr.  R.  Morris, 

34.  Mr.  Nixon, 

35.  Mr.  Nesbit, 

36.  Mr.  Robt.  Ritchie, 

37.  Mr.  Smythe,  lawyer, 
88.  Mr.  Joseph  W.  Shippen, 

39.  Mr.  Jos.  Shijipen,  Junr., 

40.  Mr.  Willing, 

41.  Mr.  Peter  Wikoff, 
Wilcox. 


'  Falls  Fishery,  at  Peter  Robinson^ s. 
'To  be  commenced  on  Thursday,  the  Gth  of  June,  and  to  continue 


6.  Joseph,  b.  at  Boston,  Feb.  28,  1G78-9.    of  wliom,  more 

presently. 

7.  Mary,  b.  May  6,  IG.Sl.  d.  1G88. 

8.  Anne,  b.  at  Boston,  June  17,  1G84.     m.  at  Phila.  lOtb 

'  every  otLer  Thursday,  till  the  last  Thursday  in  September,  inclu- 
'  sive.  Tickets  to  be  sent  to  any  Ladies  or  Gentlemen,  Strangers 
'  that  are  in  town,  by  the  managers,  not  exceeding  gentlemen  at 
'  one  time. 

'  The  Wine  and  Spirit  to  be  provided  in  bottles  Tvith  sealed  corks, 
'  and  to  be  sent  to  Peter  Robinson,  who  is  to  be  allowed  a  profit,  on 
'each  bottle  of  Wine,  Is.  Gd.,  on  each  bottle  of  Spirit,  Os.  (id.,  and 
'  on  the  whole  quantity  of  Sugar  bought  of  4d.  per  lb.,  and  Gd.  per 
'  head  for  each  person  present,  for  the  tea  table,  the  Company  to 
'  find  the  Tea. 

'  Mr.  Robinson  to  furnish  Lemons,  and  to  be  allowed  50  per  cent. 
*  profit. 

'Dinners  to  be  prepared  for  30  persons  by  ]\Ir.  Robinson,  who  is 
'  to  be  allowed  Is.  (id.  per  head,  whether  that  number  be  present  or 
'  not.  If  more  than  that  number  be  present,  he  is  to  be  paid  at 
'  Is.  6d.  per  head. 


*  A  small  round  of  Beef,  stuffed,    -  -  - 

'  A  loin  of  Veal,  121  lb.  a  8d., 

'  8  Chickens,  roasted,     -  -  -  - 

'2  Tongues,  a  2s.  Gd.,  - 

'  Beef  Steaks,  10  lb.  a  8d.,  "t  These  two  to  be  sent  out 

'  Live  Fish,  if  to  be  had,      J      undressed. 

'  Beans,  Peas  and  Sallad,  _  _  _ 

'  Cherry  Pie,  _  .  _  - 

'  4  Quarts  Rasberries  or  Strawberries, 

'  1  Cream  Cheese,   -  .     ■  _ 

'  1  doz.  large  Spoons,     -  -  -  - 

'  J  Gallon  Spirit,     -  -  -  - 

'  Biscuits,       .  _  -  -  - 

'  1  Loaf  Sugar,  which  you  must  send  to  Mr.  Meredith's  for,  0 

'Lemons, 

'Bread,  -  .  -  - 


'  For  my  trouble,  _  _  -  - 

£3  17     5 
'  Mr.  Burns  : — Please  procure  the  above  articles  against  Tuesday 
'  next,  and  I  will  take  care  to  see  you  paid  for  them,  and  am 

Your  humble  servant, 
'Philada.,  July  2d,  17C3.  NATIIL.  CHAPMAN. 


£ 

s. 

d. 

0 

8 

4 

0 

8 

0 

0 

8 

0 

0 

5 

0 

0 

6 

8 

0 

5 

0 

0 

2 

6 

0 

5 

6 

0 

1 

3 

0 

6 

0 

0 

3 

9 

0 

1 

6 

,  0 

6 

3 

0 

2 

8 

3 

2 

5 

0 

15 

0 

July,  1706.  Thos.  Story,  d.  s.  p.  She  was  buried  in 
Friends'  New  Burying  Ground,  in  Phila. 
Ml-.  Story  was  first  Recorder  of  the  City  of  Phihi.,  Mas- 
ter of  the  Rolls,  and  Keeper  of  the  Great  Seal.  He 
came  out  from  England  in  1G99.  By  his  marriage,  ho 
received  a  large  property ;  part  of  which  was  the  large 
house  in  Second  street,  afterwards  sold  to  James 
Logan,  afterwards  pulled  down  to  afford  the.  site,  in 
part,  of  the  present  Bank  of  Pennsylvania.  After  her 
death  he  returned  to  England,  and  subsequently  re- 
conveyed  this  estate  by  his  will  to  his  wife's  family.* 
In  1706,  he  was  chosen  Mayor,  but  on  refusing  was 
fined  £20  by  the  Council. f    His  career  is  so  well  known 

'Dr.  Sir: — Please  to  pay  Mr.  Burns  £3  17s.  5d.  for  the  Avithia 
'  Bill  for  Mt.  Regale  Fishing  Cympany,  and  charge  it  to  that  ac- 
'  count.     1  am,  sir, 

Your  most  humble  servant, 
'  To  Joseph  Shippen,  Esq.  NATHL.  CHAPMAN. 

Philadelphia,  8th  July,  1763. 

'Received,  August  16,  1763,  of  Joseph  Shippen,  .Jr.,  £3  17s.  5d. 
'  in  full  of  the  within  account.  JAMES  BYRNE.' 

This  was  a  different  '  Fishing  Club'  from  that  still  in  existence. 

*  Edward  Shippen  to  Chas.  Willing. 

'■Lancaster,  Sth  Ajnil,  1754. 

'Dear  Sir: — Your  favor  of  the  27th  ulto.  did  not  come  to  hand 
'  till  last  Saturday  night.  Kepler  keeps  letters  sometimes  a  month 
'  in  his  drawers.  I  have  several  letters  by  me  from  uncle  Thomas 
'  Story,  in  which  I  can  find  nothing  relating  to  the  London  Company 
'  except  the  following  paragraph,  dated  at  Carlisle,  in  Cumberland, 
'  in  April,  1742 :  "I  have  about  one  hundred  and  two  shares  of  the 
'"lands  and  interest  in  the  London  Company,  which  mj' friend, 
»  "John  Estaugh,  very  well  knows  cost  me  very  dear,  and  much 
'  "  trouble.     I  am  thy  loving  uncle,  Thomas  Stoi'y." 

'  I  think  you  have  a  copy  of  the  will  or  else  I  would  trouble  the 
'  bearer  with  it.  I  have  no  other  papers  or  writings  relating  to 
'  that  affair.  We  enjoy  our  health  very  well,  and  are  going  next 
'  week  to  pay  our  children  a  visit  at  Shippensburgh.  We  conclude 
'  with  our  best  regards  to  yourself,  sister  and  cousins,  as  if  parti- 
'  cularly  named. 

Your  affectionate  brother-in-law, 

EDWARD  SHIPPEN.' 

f  Minutes  of  Councils,  p.  42. 


through  his  Journal,  that  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  more 
of  him.     He  was  not  regarded  as  a  sufficiently  fashion- 
able match,  by  some  of  the  family.* 
1G90.     Edward  Shippen,  m.  2dly.  at  Newport,  E.  I. 
Rebecca  Richardson,  widow  of  Francis  Richardson  of  New 
York,  merchant,  by  whom,  he  had  issue, 

Elizabeth,  b.   1691.   d.  1692,  about  which  time  also 
Mrs.  Shippen  died. 

170-4.     Edward  Shippen.    m.   3dly.    Elizabeth  James, 
widow  of  Thomas  James,  of  Bristol,  England,    (her  maiden 
name  was  Wilcox,)  by  whom  he  had 
John,  died  an  infant. 

William,  d.  1731,  aged  about  25  years.  He  d.  s.  p.  and 
left  the  large  estate,  bequeathed  to  him  by  his  Father, 
to  a  half  brother  or  sister  ex  parte  materna,  through 
whom  it  was  transmitted  to  the  Powel  family,  and 
formed  the  principal  portion  of  their  lauded  estate. f 

*  Extract  from  a  letter  of  Isaac  Norris,  now  (1855,)  in  pos- 
session of  Dr.  G.  W.  Norris  : 

'  nth  5  mo.  1706. 

'  T.  Story  and  Ann  Shippen  were  married  yesterday.  Ned  was 
'  at  the  wedding,  but  Joe  appears  so  disgusted,  that  nobody  can 
•  reconcile  his  actions  to  reason.  He  went  to  New  Castle  to  be  out 
'  of  the  way.' — See  also  Life  of  I,ogan,  p.  19,  (cit.  ant.) 

f  Mr.  Fisher's  MSS.,  Judge  11.  Shippen's  MSS.,  &c. 


Joseph  SnirPEN,  before  mentioned,*  was  b.  in  Boston, 
February  28,  1G78-9;  m.  at  Boston,  July  28,  1702, 
Abiqail  Grosse,  dau.  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Grosse. 
She  d.  June  28,  1716,  at  Philadelphia. 

In  1704  he  removed  to  Philadelphia;  thence,  after  his 
first  wife's  death,  to  Germantown,  where  he  resided  in  the 
house  now  known  (1855)  as  'the  Buttonwood  Tavern,'  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1741.  After  the  death  of  his 
first  wife,  he  m.  2dly.  Mrs.  Hose  Plumley,  by  whom  he  had 
no  issue.  She  was  the  mother  of  Sarah  Plumley,  who  was 
m.  to  his  son  Edward. 

Of  his  first  wife,  Abigail  Grosse,  but  very  little  is  known. 
Her  connexions  in  Boston  appear  to  have  been  most  re- 
spectable. Tradition  says,  with  what  foundation  cannot 
now  be  accurately  ascertained,  that  she  was  a  near  kins- 
woman of  Gov.  Bowdoin's  wife.  During  a  long  series  of 
years  her  children  kept  up  a  friendly  intercourse  with  their 
relatives. 

Augt.  9,  1725.  Edward  Shippen,  (the  above  mentioned 
son  of  Abigail  and  Joseph,)  then  on  a  visit  to  Boston, 
writes  to  Miss  Plumley,  to  whom  he  was  engaged  and  after- 
wards married  : — '  All  last  week  I  was  visiting  my  friends. 
'  I  believe  there  never  was  a  more  loving  and  kind  people 
'  in  the  world.  My  grandmother  lives  handsomely,  but  has 
'  nothing  to  spare  except  good  will  and  kindness,  until  she 
'  dies.  All  my  aunt's  and  uncle's  daughters  are  extraordi- 
'  narily  well  married.  They  get  me  to  dinner  at  one  place 
'  to-day,  then  make  me  promise  to  dine  at  another  to-mor- 
'row,  and  to  sup  at  another;  and  so  they  carry  me  about. 
*  Atite,  p.  xxi. 


*  I  have  a  maiden  aunt  wlio  lives  with  my  grandmother,  the 
'  very  image  of  my  own  mother.     Both  of  them  bid  me 

*  remember  their  kind  love  to  you.' 

Nov.  26,  1753.  Edward  Shippen,  (eldest  son  of  Abigail 
and  Joseph,)  writes  to  his  '  Dear  Cousin,'  Thomas  Fayer- 
weather,  at  Boston,  a  most  confidential  letter  as  to  family 
affairs,  in  reply  to  one  of  the  same  character. 

Octr.  5,  1774.  Chief  Justice  Shippen,  writing  to  his 
father  at  Lancaster,  says — '  Cousin  Tom  Greenough  from 
'  Boston  dined  with  me  last  week.  He  made  me  promise 
'  to  transmit  to  you  his  hearty  love.' 

Octr.  16,  1775.  Mr.  Fayerweather,  then  at  Cambridge, 
(near  Boston,)  writes  to  the  same  Edward  Shippen,  thanking 
him  for  a  letter  of  introduction  presented  by  '  Cousin  Buri.' 

A  Mr.  Erving  appears  to  have  been  a  near  kinsman.  The 
same  Mr.  Erving  would  also  seem  to  have  been  a  brother-in- 
law  of  Governor  Bowdoin.* 

Of  Mr.  Shippen  himself  there  remain  but  few  memorials. f 
The  only  letter  from  him  which  has  been  preserved,  so  far 
as  is  known,  is  the  following.  It  shows  him  to  have  been 
an  industrious,  energetic  man.  It  was  written,  as  will  be 
seen,  when  he  was  more  than  sixty  years  of  age. 

*  '  She  was  certainly  related  to  Gov.  Bowdoin  by  his  mother ; 
'  also  to  the  Ervings,  (Mr.  Erving,  our  minister  to  Sj^ain  some  years 
'  ago,  and  Col.  Erving  of  the  U.  IS.  Army  were  of  this  family.') — 3Ir. 
Fisher's  MSS.  '  Gov.  Bowdoin  m.  Elizabeth  Erving.' — Hon.  R.  C. 
Wint/trop. 

f  The  following  notice  of  '  the  Buttonwood,'  appeared  in  the  edi- 
torial columns  of  the  Germantoivn  Telegraph,  March  \?jlh,  1855: — 

'An  Old  Soldier. — A  few  days  ago,  one  of  the  old  trees  which 
'  had  for  some  years  given  up  the  ghost,  standing  in  front  of  the 
'  Buttonwood  Hotel,  opposite  this  office,  was  removed,  and  we  pre- 
'  sume  'cast  into  the  burning.'  The  other,  which  had  been  its 
'companion  for  about  eighty  years,  still  stands,  alive  and  well,  in 
'  all  the  majesty  of  its  prime,  it  having  recovered  from  the  disease 
'  which  so  seriously  attacked  this  kind  of  tree  all  over  the  country, 
'  some  five  or  six  years  ago.' 
2 


'J"«7y  15/^,  1740. 

'  Son  Edward  : — I  heave  finished  my  hay  and  have 
'  reaped  my  wheat.  I  am  getting  it  in  to-day,  and  am  cut- 
'  ting  my  rye,  and  must  pay  my  men.  When  you  was  here 
'  last,  I  told  you  I  must  come  to  town  for  rent.  You  said 
'  you  would  help  me  to  get  it.  Joe  has  been  here  since, 
'  and  I  told  him  the  same.  So  I  desire  you  will  speak  to 
'  him  and  bring  me  up  £20  this  afternoon,  for  I  cannot 
'  leave  my  people. 

'  I  am  your  loving  father, 

'JOSEPH  SHIPPEN.' 

Mr.  Shippen  may  be  justly  included  amongst  *  the  men 
'  of  science'  of  his  day.  He  was  a  member  of  'The  Junto,'* 
aid  bestowed  much  attention  upon  such  pursuits ;  amongst 
others,  practical  anatomy.f 

Mr.  Shippen  had  by  his  first  wife  the  following  children  : 

1.  Edward,  b.  in  Boston,  July  9th,  1703 ;  of  whom  more 

presently. 

2.  Elizabeth,  b.  in  Philadelphia,  April   17,   1705;    d. 

June  8th,  1714. 

*  'The  Junto  was  instituted  by  Dr.  Franklin  in  1727,  for  mutual 
'  information  and  the  public  good.  Nearly,  if  not  all,  were  born  in 
'  the  same  year,  1706.  The  association  consisted  of  Benjamin 
'  Franklin,  Joseph  Shippen,  Hugh  Roberts,  William  Coleman,  Philip 
'  Syng,  Enoch  Flower,  Joseph  Wharton,  AVilliam  Griffiths,  Luke 
'  Morris,  Joseph  Turner,  Joseph  Trotter,  Samuel  Jervis,  Samuel 
*  Rhodes,  Joseph  Brintnall ;  also  Nicholas  Scull,  William  Parson, 
'  and  Thomas  Godfrey. — Hazard's  Register,  XV.  184.  See  also 
Sparks'  Franklin,  I.  83. 

+  '  It  is  most  probable  that  here  he  (the  elder  Shippen)  acquired 
« those  ideas  of  the  importance  of  the  study  (Practical  Anatomy), 
'  -wliich  induced  him  to  press  upon  his  son  the  propriety  of  making 
'  himself  master  of  the  science,  in  order  to  the  establishment  of 
'  those  lectures  he  afterwards  so  ably  delivered.'* — Contribulmis  to 
the  Medical  History  of  Pennsylvania  by  Dr.  Caspar  3Iorris,  4  Uaz. 
Beg.  332. 

His  portrait  is  in  the  possession  of  Miss  Burd,  at  her  house  in 
Chestnut  street. 


3  Joseph,  b.  in  Philadelphia,  Nov.  28th,  1706;  d.  June 
1793,  He  m.  Mary  Kearney.  His  only  son,  Joseph,* 
d,  July,  17G6.  His  daughter  Kitty  was  m.  to  a  Mr. 
Wallen  of  Jamaica,  and  d.  shortly  afterwards.  In 
1742  (Oct.  5th,)  he  was  elected  to  the  City  Council, 
in  which  he  served  for  some  years,  j"  He  went,  in  the 
family,  by  the  name  of  '  Gentleman  Joe,'  by  reason 
of  the  gay,  luxurious  life  which,  he  led ',  and  which, 
as  appears  from  his  brother's  letters,|  wasted  his 
patrimony.  He  subsequently  removed  to  German- 
town,  where  he  died. 

4.  William,  b.  August  31,  1708;  d.  Deer.  29,  1710. 

5.  Anne,  b.  August  5,  1710;  m.  to  Charles  Willing.     Of 

her  more  hereafter. 

6.  William,  b.  October  1,  1712.     Of  him  more  hereafter. 

7.  Elizabeth,  b.  Sept.  28,  1714;  d.  Deer.  3,  1714. 

*  Most  probably  the  '  Joseph  W.  Shippen'  who  subscribed  to  the 
Fish  Club,  (ante,  p.  xx.) 

f  Minutes,  417. 

X  EDWABD    SHIPPEN    TO    CH.    J.    SHIPPEN,    AT   PHILADELPHIA. 

'Lancaster,  \bth  December,  1753. 

'  Dear  Son  : — That  evening  I  left  j'ou  I  lodged  in  Germanto^vn 
'  with  my  poor  disconsolate  brother.  I  let  his  wife  know  she  must 
'  instantly  change  her  most  unkind  behaviour  to  him  or  he  would 
'  become  broken-hearted,  and  then  she  would  lose  soon  a  most 
'  affectionate  husband,  .nnd  their  children  a  most  tender  father. 

'  The  Doctor  is  to  sell  the  house  wherein  T.  L.  lives,  and  Mr.  Mo- 
'  land  is  to  be  paid,  and  one  or  two  more,  and  then  my  brother's 
'  creditors  are  all  to  be  called  together  and  some  method  proposed 
'  for  payment,  and  when  his  creditors  meet,  it  will  be  proper  for 
'  yourself  and  Mr.  Plvimsted,  and  also  the  Doctor,  to  be  present, 
'  that  the  creditors  may  be  prevailed  upon  to  give  time  for  the  dis- 
'  posal  of  things;  for  this  is  not  a  proper  season  to  sell.'  Also 
Edward  Shijjpcn  to  Thomas  Willing,  Lancaster,  11th  January,  1754. 


Edward,  the  eldest  cliild  of  Joseph  and  Abigail  Shippen, 
was  b.  in  Boston,  July  9,  1703 ;  m.  at  Philadelphia, 
Sept.  20,  1725,  to  Sarah  Plumley,  dau.  of  Charles  and 
Rose  Plumley.  She  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Nov. 
8,  1706;  d.  April  28,  1735.     They  had  issue, 

1.  Elizabeth,  b.  Aug.  17,  1726 ;  d.  Aug.  29,  1726. 

2.  Joseph,     )  _b.  Sept.  1727. 

3.  William,  J  d.  same  month, 

4.  Edward,  b,  Feb.  16,  1728-9  :  afterwards  Chief  Justice 

of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

5.  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  22,  1730 :  afterwards  the  wife  of  Col. 

James  Burd. 

6.  Joseph,  b.  Octr.  30,  1732  :  afterwards  Colonel  under, 

and  Secretary  to,  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania. 

7.  Rose,  b.  Sept.  10,  1734;  d.  an  infant. 

Mr.  Shippen  m.  2dly,  August,  1747,  Mary  Gray,  dau.  of 
William  and  Mary  Gray.  She  was  b.  in  London,  January 
13th,  1705-6,  and  d.  at  Lancaster,  May  3d,  1778.  The 
two  or  three  of  her  letters  yet  remaining,  and  the  affec- 
tionate terms  in  which  she  is  always  mentioned  by  her  hus- 
band and  step-sons,  warrant  us  in  believing  her  to  have  been 
a  most  estimable  woman.*  By  her,  Mr.  Shippen  had  no 
children. 

Mr.  Shippen  was  brought  up  as  a  merchant  by  James 
Logan,  and  was  in  business  (1732)f  first,  as  Logan  &  Ship- 
pen,  and  afterwards,  in  1749,  with  Thomas  Lawrence  in  the 

*  '  Peggy  and  the  baby  are  well.  Molly  is  its  name,  for  mam- 
'  my's  sake.' — Ch.  J.  Shippen  to  his  Father,  Aiigt.  25,  1757.  Col. 
Shippen  also  called  a  daughter  'Mary,'  after  her. 

f  I  have  before  me  a  curious  bill  against  '  the  Proprietors,'  '  for 
'  Bvmdrys  sent  to  Stenton  for  the  Delawares,'  Sept.  7th,  1732. 


fur  trade,  as  Sliippen  &  Lawrence.*  He  was  elected,  Oc- 
tober 3,  1732,  to,  and  served  for  many  years,  in  the  City 
Council,  and  in  1744  was  Mayor  of  the  City.  In  May, 
1752,  he  removed  to  Lancaster,"}"  where  he  was  appointed 
Prothonotary,  and  continued  such  till  1778.  He  had  large 
transactions  as  paymaster  for  supplies  for  the  British  j^nd  Pro- 
vincial forces,  when  commanded  by  Gen.  Forbes,  Gen.  Stan- 
wis,  and  Col.  Bouquet;  and  managed  them  with  so  much  in- 
tegrity as  to  receive  public  thanks. |    He  was  a  county  judge 

•  The  following  extract  from  ^Mr.  Swift's  MSS.  serves  to  show 
the  profits  realized  on  merchandise  in  those  days.  It  is  taken  from 
a  letter  dated  20th  September,  1717,  written  by  Mr.  John  Swift  to 
a  correspondent  in  England : 

'  The  China  I  sold  altogether  at  167J  pr.  ct. ;  Damasks,  26  yds. 

*  sold  at  75s. ;  ditto  40  yds.  133s.  4d. ;  broad  Don  Camblett  132s. ; 
'  Boyled  ditto  £8  5s. ;  Silk  Camblettees  82s.  Gd. ;  Women's  thimbles 
'  12s. ;  Lovers'  knots,  No.  20,  at  80s.,  yd.  wd. ;  Stanetts  88s.  ;  Ser- 
'  pentines.  No.  22,  at  88.s. ;  plain  Camblettees,  41  yds.  at  855. ; 
«  Tammys  at  58s.  The  men's  gloves  won't  sell.  Sealing  Wax  5s. ; 
'  black  Ribbon  16s. ;  Duke  AVilliam  Ribbon,  and  the  platted  Ribbons 
'  sold  at  200  pr.  ct.  ;  Caps  of  all  sorts  at  175  pr.  ct.  ;  Men's  stock- 

*  ings,  No.  1,  at  47s. ;  shaded  duroys  at  44s. ;  stars  and  garters.  No. 
♦31,  at  88s. ;  plain  Camblettees,  No.  32,  at  60s.;  Ivory  .Combs  at 
'  200  pr.  ct. ;  Horn  ditto  at  2s.  9d.  ;  Ink  powder  at  9s.  and  10s.  pr. 
«doz. ;  3-4  Checks  at  2s.  3d.,  2s.  2d.,  2s.  Id.  and  2s.  pr.  ell;  6-4 
'  ditto  4s.  2d.  pr.  ell :  yd.  wide  ditto  at  2s.  7d.  pr.  ell ;  new  fash- 
'  ioned  Diapers,  15  yds.  at  41s. ;  Flowered  quilting,  20  yds.  at  54s. ; 

*  Spotted  Rugs  at  200  pr.  ct. ;  Felt  Hats  at  200  pr.  ct.  ;  Pins  at 
'  above  200  pr.  ct. ;  India  Pictures  at  10s. ;  Chamber  Glasses  at  70s.  ; 
'  2  of  the  large  Sconces  I  sold  for  £23 ;  the  works  of  charity  at  29s. 
'  each.  The  Dowlas  sold  at  175  pr.  ct. ;  Long  Lawns  at  175  pr.  ct. ; 
'Printed  Calicoes,  12^  yds.  sold  at  55s.,  54s.  and  53s.;  do.  2  colors, 
'  18  yards,  80s.;  purple  ground,  18  yds.  85s;  Linen  handkf.  2s.; 
'  Chintz  Ponabaggarrees  at  28s.  and  30s. ;  the  J  ps.  Chintz  Dor- 
'  gurrees  at  24s  and  25s.  ;  Niccanees  at  32s. ;  Cotton  Romals  at 
'  23s. ;  Silk  Romals  at  80s.  and  82s.  Gd. ;  Bandannahs  at  53s.  and 
*54s.,  all  sold;  Nuns  thread  sells  but  low  at  don  the  number; 
'  Rolled  tapes.  No.  19,  at  10s. ;  do.  29,  at  18s. ;  Dutch  pretties  14s. ; 
'  Writing  paper  20s.  and  28.s'.,  only  three  rms.  unsold.  Shallons,  No. 
'  23,  at  80s. ;  do.  No.  22  at  75s.,  4  ps.  unsold.' 

f  Hence  generally  designated  as  'Edward  Shippen,  of  Lan- 
caster,' to  distinguish  him  from  the  others  of  the  same  name. 

X  Chief  Justice  Shippen  to  his  Father,  in  a  letter  dated  Mai/  lOlh, 
1760,  expresses  great  gratification  at  'having  settled  your  accounts, 


under  both  the  Provincial  and  State  governments.  In  early 
life  he  laid  out  Shippensburg,  with  so  much  judgment  as  to 
its  situation  and  advantages  for  settlers,  that  it  speedily  grew 
to  be  a  flourishing  village.  In  1746-8  he  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  'The  College  of  New  Jersey/  at  first  located 
at  Newark,  subsequently  (1753)  at  Princeton,  now  so  well 
known  and  honored  as  Nassau  Hall,  and  was  one  of  its 
first  Board  of  Trustees;  a  position  which  he  resigned  in 
1767,  after  twenty  years'  service.*  Nor  was  this  his  only 
service  to  the  cause  of  education ;  the  value  of  which  his 
own  accomplishments  enabled  him  fully  to  appreciate. f 

'and  received  the  thanks  of  the  General:'  and  in  another,  dated 
3Iay  28th,  1760,  he  says,  '  General  Stanwis  told  me,  he  never  saw 
'  fairer  accounts,  and  that  his  Majesty  himself  and  the  whole  army 
'  were  greatly  indebted  to  you.' 

*   Catalogus  Collegii  Neo-Ccesariensis,  mdcccliv. 

f  He  was  also  one  of  the  subscribers  to  the  Philadelphia  Academj', 
which  became  afterwards  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. — Charles 
Thomson  to  Col.  Ship^jen,  January  31,  1755. 

He  was,  amongst  other  things,  a  fine  French  scholar, — a  rare 
species  of  knowledge  in  those  days, — and  got,  through  his  son 
Edward,  many  of  the  letters  found  in  French  vessels,  taken  by  the 
privateers. 

EDWARD  SHIPPEN,  JK.,  TO  HIS  FATHER. 

'  Fhiladeljihia,  June  23d,  1758. 
'  Hon'd  Sir  : — You  wrote  me  to  send  you  the  French  letters  that 
*  came  in  the  prize.  I  would  cheerfully  have  procured  them  for  you 
'  if  there  had  been  any,  but  the  French  Captain,  when  he  struck, 
'  threw  overboard  every  letter.  There  is  a  French  flag  of  truce 
'  taken  in  our  bay,  by  the  Spry  privateer,  as  she  was  running  sugars, 
'  but  you  know  she  can  contain  no  letters. 

'  ^\e  have  no  news,  but  are  in  daily  expectation  of  hearing  from 
'  Louisburg.     Our  kind  love  to  mammy,  sister,  &c. 

'  I  am,  dear  sir,  your  affectionate  and  dutiful  son, 

'EDWARD  SHIPPEN,  .Jr.' 
Some  of  these  letters  are  quite  curious.     Amongst  them  is  one, 
translated  by  Mr.  Wm.  Duane,  which  gives  some  insight  into  the 
manners  of  the  day,  and  the  intercourse  then  existing  between  the 
people  of  France  and  her  colonies. 

^  Near  Louishiirg,  May  26,  1744. 
'  Sir  and  Dear  Friend  : — I  have  just  received  the  letter  of  the 
'  11th  of  last  February,  in  duplicate,  which  you  do  me  the  honor 


His  public  duties  as  a  citizen,  Mr.  Sbippen,  as  is  shown 
by  the  foregoing  condensed  statement,  discharged  in  a  man- 
ner eminently  praiseworthy  and  honorable.  In  his  private 
intercourse,  he  showed  himself  virtuous  and  upright.     Mr. 

'  to  write  me.  The  critical  time  in  wliicb  we  now  are  here,  to  learn 
'  bj'  the  first  vessels  that  will  arrive  from  Europe  the  declaration  of 
'  war  between  France  and  England,  wliich  appears  inevitable,  and 
'  the  fear  that  the  Dutch  will  join  this  latter  crown  against  us,  ac- 
'  cording  to  the  last  news  which  we  have  just  received  of  the  engage- 
'  ment  of  our  Brest  squadron,  joined  to  that  of  Spain,  against  Ad- 
'  miral  Mathews,  to  which  is  added  that  the  Toulon  squadron  is 
'  about  to  carry  over  the  Pretender  into  England  with  some  troops 
'  to  support  his  party  in  that  nation  and  place  him  on  the  throne, 
'  no  longer  permit  me  to  spend  this  year  in  France,  as  I  had  previ- 
'  ously  signified  to  you,  and  I  cannot  even  think  of  making  this 
'  voyage  until  we  have  a  certainty  of  peace  at  least  with  the  mari- 
'  time  powers,  so  that  this  motive  prevents  my  deciding  positively 
'  upon  the  proposal  that  you  make  me,  besides  the  fact  that  you  do 
'  not  tell  me  if  the  50,000  French  money  that  are  asked  for  are  pay- 
'  able  in  cash  at  the  celebration  of  the  marriage,  or  if  it  is  meant, 
'  as  I  suppose,  that  this  sum  shall  be  discharged  in  many  payments 
'  made  annually.  This  is  what  you  would  oblige  me  by  explaining 
'  in  your  first  (letter)  in  reply. 

'  I  can  assure  you,  my  dear  friend,  in  advance,  that  this  alliance 
'  is  infinitely  flattering  to  my  daughter  and  myself,  and  that  we  are 
'  very  sensible  of  the  honor  which  Mons.  and  Madame  De  Launcey 
'  do  her  in  asking  her  in  marriage  for  their  nephew.  If  it  were  not 
'  for  this  uncertainty  of  war  I  would  not  hesitate  to  go  to  Franco 
'  next  spring,  if  the  parties  should  agree  after  having  seen  each 
'  other,  and  I  do  not  think  that  there  would  be  the  least  obstacle  on 
'  my  daughter's  part,  if  the  gentleman  is  known  to  you.  See,  my 
'  dear  friend,  if  he  intends  waiting  until  we  shall  have  a  certainty 

*  of  peace ;  without  that,  I  cannot  expose  myself  to  proceeding  to 

*  France,  and  in  one  word  that  is  the  essential  point  of  all.  The 
'  business  may  perhaps  be  .arranged  in  the  interval  of  time  that  will 

*  elapse  until  I  receive  your  reply  thereupon.  This  is  what  I  can 
'  do  for  my  daughter.  I  will  give  her  for  a  dower  the  fiftj'  thousand 
'  livres  French  money  that  are  demanded  of  me,  payable  10,000  in 
'  cash  at  the  celebration  of  the  marriage,  and  the  40,000  remaining 
'  four  years  afterwards  in  one  payment,  and  I  will  pay  besides  an 
'  annual  income  of  two  thousand  livres  in  France,  (and  every  year 
'in  advance,)  by  way  of  interest  for  the  long  time  that  I  take  for 
'  the  payment  of  the  40,000  livres.  And  you  will  observe  that  if  I 
'gave  the  50,000  of  the  dowry  in  cash,  I  Avould  still  have  to  make 
'  use  of  it  in  real  estate  that  will  not  produce  the  income  that  I  offer 
'  above,  and  which  seems  to  me  much  more  advantageous  to  the 

*  gentlem.an. 


Lawrence  blames  him  for  being  '  too  religious.'  His  piety 
never  degenerated  into  ascetecism.* 

As  a  husband  and  a  fiither  he  was  affectionate  and  indul- 
gent ;  manifesting  at  all  times  a  tender  solicitude  for  the 
temporal  advancement  and  moral  health  of  his  children. 
He  was  most  anxious  to  preserve  their  love  for  each  other 
in  its  fulness  and  integrity  after  his  death.  To  prevent, 
therefore,  its  being  impaired  by  anything  concerning  the 
distribution  of  his  property  after  his  death — that  most  pro- 
lific source  of  alienation  and  controversy  in  families — he 
submitted  his  proposed  will  to  his  two  sons;  who,  to  their 

'  Finally,  if  my  proposal  suits  the  parties  interested,  you  have 

*  only  to  acquaint  me  with  it  promptly,  and  draw  up  the  form  of 

*  the  contract  which  they  wish  to  have  made,  which  you  will  hare 
'  the  kindness  to  send  me  in  duplicate,  that  I  may  make  my  arrange- 
'  ments  thereupon,  and  send  you  a  positive  answer. 

'  It  now  remains  for  me  to  give  you  all  the  thanks  that  I  owe  you 
'  for  the  continued  proofs  that  you  give  me  and  my  daughter  of 
'  your  friendship.     I  assure  you  that  our  gratitude  on  this  account 
'  is  most  lively,  and  no  one  has  a  more  inviolable  attachment. 
'  Sir  and  dear  friend, 

'  Your  very  humble  and  very  obedient  servant, 

'  DISS  AT. 
'  Accept  also  Madame  Thomas  Des  Veaux'  thousands  of  assurances 
'  of  respect  from  my  daughters  and  all  my  family.     Present  them 
'  also,  I  pray  you,  on  behalf  of  my  daughters  and  myself,  to  Mon- 
'  sieur  and  Madame  De  Launcey. 

'  The  vessels  wherein  this  present  (letter)  and  its  duplicate  will 

*  go,  having  postponed  their  departure  until  to-day  the  lUth  of  June, 
'  we  have  just  learnt  by  two  ships  from  Nantes  and  two  from  Bor- 
'  deaux,  which  arrived  at  the  Cape  two  days  ago,  that  the  king  of 
'  France  has  declared  war  against  England,  and  that  he  also  wishes 
'  that  the  Dutch  should  declare  themselves  for  or  against.  Behold 
'  all  that  I  feared  besides  has  happened ;  so,  my  dear  friend,  there 

*  is  no  longer  any  way  of  thinking  of  the  project  of  marriage  in 
'  question,  now  that  they  are  unwilling  to  await  the  return  of  peace, 
'  which  perhaps  will  be  nearer  at  hand  than  they  suppose.  God 
'grant  it!  DISSAT.' 

*  The  first  mention  which  I  find  of  Mr.  Shippen's  participating 
actively  in  church  affairs  is,  that,  September  17th,  1730,  he  took 
his  seat  as  an  elder  in  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia. — Records  Pres- 
hyterian  Chicrch,  98. 


iionor  be  it  said  I  fearing  tiiat  he  had  not  given  their  sister 
quite  enough,  suggested  an  addition  to  her  portion.  A 
codicil,  prepared  by  his  son  Edward,  increasing  her  share 
in  his  estate,  was  accordingly  signed.* 

Mr.  Shippen's  advanced  age  prevented  his  taking  any 
very  active  part,  except  as  a  committee-man,  during  the 
Revolution.  His  judgment  was  fixed  as  to  the  rights  of  the 
Colonies,  and  his  sentiments  were  warmly  expressed  in 
behalf  of  his  country,  not  only  during  that  eventful  contest, 
but  throughout  that  long  period  of  oppression  and  resistance 
which  preceded  the  final  struggle. f  lie  did  not  live  to  hear 
of  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  but  his  faith  in  the  success  of 
the  righteous  cause  seems  to  have  never  once  wavered. | 


Edavard,  the  eldest  son  of  Edward  Shippen  and  Sarah 
Plumley,  was  b.  Feb.  16,  1729,  at  Philadelphia. 
'  Edward  Shippen,§  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  followed 
*  the  honorable  course  of  his  father,  and  fully  sustained  the 
'  reputation  derived  from  him.  Having  completed  his  ele- 
<  mentary  education  with  distinguished  diligence  and  success, 

*  .Judge  Yeates  to  his  father-iu-law,  (Col.  Burcl,)  Sept'r  2oth, 
1781. 

f  See  his  letters  j'^assm. 

J  His  portrait,  also,  is  in  the  possession  of  Miss  Burd. 

^  There  are  various  biographical  sketches  of  him  ;  one  of  which, 
taken  from  the  National  Portrait  Gallery,  is  reprinted  here,  as  being 
better  than  any  which  I  could  present.  It  follows  that  written  by 
Dr.  Charles  Caldwell,  Portfolio,  1810.  Hazard's  Reg.  IV.  241,  as 
to  Judge  Shippen's  lienage,  and  accordingly  makes  the  same  error 
in  confounding  Edward  Shippen,  of  Lancaster,  with  Edward,  who 
emigrated  to  America.  I  give  Dr.  Caldwell  as  the  writer  of  this 
sketch,  in  the  Portfolio,  (reprinted  in  Hazard,)  on  his  own  authority: 
Autobiography  of  J)r.  Caldwell,  430.  (Philadel]>hia,  18-55.)  His  por- 
trait, by  Stuart,  is  in  the  possession  of  Miss  Burd,  at  her  residence 
in  Chestnut  street. 


'  he  commenced  the  study  of  the  law  under  the  direction  of 

*  Tench  Francis,  Esquire,  tlicn  the  attorney-general  of  Pcnn- 
'  sylvania.  In  1748,  Mr.  Shippen,  having  prosecuted  his 
'  legal  studies  for  about  two  years,  went  to  London  to  com- 

*  pletc  them  in  the  Temple.     In  our  day,  this  is  no  longer 

*  necessary ;  nor  indeed  are  our  American  youth  required  to 
'  go  abroad  for  instruction,  in  any  of  the  learned  professions 
'  more  than  in  the  mechanic  arts.  After  spending  two  years 
'  in  London,  not  in  frivolous  dissipated  pursuits,  but  in  the 

*  acquirement  of  the  knowledge  of  his  profession  and  the 
'  general  cultivation  of  his  mind,  Mr.  Shippen  was  admitted 
'  a  barrister  of  the  Middle  Temple ;  and  he  returned  to 
'  Philadelphia,  to  commence  his  career  of  life,  and  enter 

*  upon  the  duties  of  a  lawyer  and  a  citizen.  He  was  so 
'  occupied,  when  the  war  of  our  revolution  interrupted  the 
'  civil  pursuits  of  our  citizens,  and  suspended,  more  or  less, 
'  their  private  business.* 

'  On  the  happy  conclusion  of  this  momentous  struggle, 
'  the  departments  of  government,  as  well  as  the  occupations 
'  of  the  people,  returned  to  their  regular  action  and  course. 

*  To  furnish  the  judiciary  with  men  of  suitable  qualifications, 

*  as  to  character  and  knowledge,  was  obviously  an  object  of 
'  primary  importance.  Professional  learning  and  moral 
'  integrity  in  the  administration  of  the  laws,  were  indispen- 
'  sable  to  secure  the  public  confidence  for  the  courts  of 

*    CH.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  EDWARD    SHIPPEN,  AT  LANCASTER. 

'  December  Slst,  1776. 

'  Hon'd  Sir: — I  did  not  receive  your  favor  of  the  IGtli  inst.  till 
'  yesterday.  It  has  been  laying  in  Dr.  Shippen's  house  ever  since 
'  it  came — the  Doctor  himself  having  rode  to  Bethlehem  at  the  time 
'  of  the  alarm. 

'  I  still  keep  my  family  near  town,  at  my  place  near  the  Falls  of 
'  Schuylkill,  where  I  purpose  to  spend  the  vrinter,  keeping  only  a 
'  maid  servant  in  the  house  in  town,  to  prevent  its  being  filled  with 
'  soldiers.' 


'justice;  and  in  searching  for  them,  Mr.  Shippen  could  not 

*  be  overlooked.     He  was  accordingly  appointed  president 

*  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  of  the  county  of  Philadcl- 
'  phia,  a  place  of  high  trust ;  and  was  also  the  presiding 
'judge  of  the  court  of  quarter  sessions  for  the  city  and 

*  county.  These  appointments  were  made  under  the  consti- 
'  tution  of  the  state,  adopted  in  17TG.  A  more  perfect 
'  organization  of  the  judiciary  was  made  by  the  constitution 
'of  1790. 

'In  1791,  Mr.  Shippen  was  appointed  one  of  the  judges 
'  of  the  supreme  court,  whose  jurisdiction  extended  over  the 
'  whole  state,  and  whose  duties  and  powers  called  for  the 
'  highest  grade  of  professional  learning  and  talents,  as  well 
'  as  of  personal  character  and  public  confidence.  On  the 
'  election  of  Chief  Justice  M'Kean  to  the  executive  chair  of 
'  the  commonwealth  in  1799,  Judge  Shippen  succeeded  him 
'  on  the  bench,  and  was  appointed  Chief  Justice  by  Gover- 
'nor  M'Kean,  who  was  perfectly  well  acquainted  with  the 
'  qualifications  the  ofiice  demanded,  and  with  the  fitness  of 
'  the  person  he  selected  for  it.  Chief  Justice  Shippen  con- 
'  tinned  to  perform  the  duties  of  his  exalted  station  with 
'  undiminished  ability,  and  unimpaired  confidence  and 
'respect,  until  the  close  of  the  year  1805,  when  the  infirmi- 
'  ties  of  age,  he  being  then  nearly  seventy-seven  years  old, 
'  admonished  him  to  retire  to  repose.  A  few  months  after 
'  his  resignation  of  oflace,  on  the  sixteenth  day  of  April, 
'  1806,  he  found  his  final  resting  place,  placidly  leaving  the 
'  world,  in  which,  from  his  earliest  youth,  he  had  been  con- 
'  spicuous  for  his  virtues  and  usefulness.  The  volumes  of 
'  our  judicial  reports  are  enriched  with  many  of  his  opinions, 
'  of  great  importance;  and  these  are  now  received  with  the 
'  same  respect  which  they  commauded  when  they  were  sus- 


•'  tained  by  his  personal  and  official  influence  and  authority. 
'  Much  of  our  law  vrhich  is  now  well  settled,  was,  at  the 
'period  of  his  judicial  administration,  in  a  state  of  unccr- 
'  tainty,  long  usages  sometimes  interfering  with  positive 
'  legislative  enactments.  Principles  were  to  be  established 
'  suitable  to  our  system  of  jurisprudence,  and  constructions 
'  to  be  given  to  doubtful  laws.  His  sound  mind,  his  excel- 
'  lent  legal  education  and  great  experience,  his  cool  temper 
'  and  discriminating  sagacity,  were  all  admirably  calculated 
'  for  the  performance  of  such  functions ;  and  he  did  perform 
'  them  in  a  manner  to  satisfy  his  contemporaries,  and  to  be 
'  approved  and  unshaken  to  this  day.  Judicial  qualifications 
'  and  services  are  not  of  a  character  to  catch  the  multitude, 
'  or  to  be  the  subjects  of  popular  applause;  but  there  is  no 
'  officer  concerned  in  the  administration  of  the  aifairs  of  a 
'  people,  whose  duties  are  more  anxious  and  arduous  to  him- 
'  self,  or  more  important  to  the  community,  than  those  of 
'the  judge.  The  preparatory  education  and  long  study; 
'  the  painful  and  attentive  experience,  which  are  indispen- 
'  sable  for  the  attainment  of  the  qualifications  befitting  the 
'  bench ;  the  habits  of  close  and  careful  investigation ;  the 
'  faculty  of  discovering  the  true  ground  of  controversy,  of 
'  distinguishing  between  real  and  apparent  resemblances, 
'  between  sound  reasoning  and  ingenious  sophism ;  the 
'  firmness  never  to  yield  principles  'to  expediency,  nor  to' 
'  sacrifice  or  disturb  the  great  system  of  jurisprudence  for 
'  particular  cases ;  and  withal,  to  hold  a  perfect  command 
'  over  every  feeling  that  might  irritate  the  temper  or  mis- 
'  lead  the  judgment,  present  to  our  contemplation  a  combi- 
'  nation  of  rare  and  valuable  qualities,  deserving  our  highest 
'  consideration  and  respect.  The  laws  must  be  sustained 
'  with  independence  and  intelligence,  or  it  is  in  vain  that 
'  they  arc  wise  and  salutary;  justice  must  be  rendered  faith- 


'  fully  to  the  parties  who  appeal  for  it  to  the  judicial  trihu- 
'  nals,  or  it  is  a  mockery  to  promise  them  protection  aii'.l 
'  redress.  The  active,  efficient,  vital  operations  of  the  gov- 
'  ernment  arc  performed  by  the  courts.  No  man  is  so  high 
'  or  so  humble  as  to  be  beyond  their  reach  ;  they  bring  the 

*  laws  into  every  man's  house,  to  punish  or  to  protect  them.* 
'  Such  are  the  responsibilities  of  a  judge.  It  was  on  the 
'judgment  seat  of  the  law,  that  the  high  qualities  of  Chief 

*  Justice  Shippen  were  brought  into  their  best  exercise  and 
'  use.  He  seemed  by  nature  as  well  as  education  to  have 
'  been  especially  prepared  for  this  statit)n.     Patient,  learned, 

*  discriminating  and  just,  no  passion  or  private  interest,  no 
'  selfish  or  unworthy  feeling  of  favor  or  resentment  ever  held 
'  the  slightest  influence  over  his  conduct  or  decisions. 

'  Few  situations  expose  the  temper  to  more  irritating 
'  trials  than  that  of  a  judge.  He  must  occasionally  encoun- 
'  ter  ignorance,  impertinence,  stupidity,  obstinacy,  and  chi- 

*  canery,  and  he  must  take  care  that  they  do  not  move  him 
'  from  his  line  of  duty. .   The  bland  and  equal  temper  of 

*  Chief  Justice  ■  Shippen  never  forsook  him  amidst  such 
'  trials,  but,  on  the  contrary,  threw  a  charm  over  his  manner 
'  of  repelling  or  submitting  to  them.  The  young  and  the 
'  timid  advocate  was  encouraged  by  his  kindness,  and  flat- 
'  tered  by  his  attention.     He  knew  and  practiced  the  lesson 

*  of  Lord  Bacon,  that  '^patience  is  one  of  the  first  duties  of 
*a  judge;"  and  he  felt  that  he  was  bound  to  hear  every 
'  party  and  every  advocate,  before  he  decided  his  cause.     A 

*  suitor  might  go  from  his  court  disappointed  by  the  judg- 
'  ment,  but  he  could  not  be  dissatisfied  with  the  judge. 

*  Possibly  the  writer  of  the  above  sketch  may  have  had  in  his 
mind,  whilst  penning  some  of  the  foregoing  sentences,  Hooker's 
magnificent  Apostrophe  to  Law  ;  [Ecclcs.  I'olilij,  I3ook  I.  p.  194,  Am. 
cd.  184i.) 


'  Of  the  private  character  and  deportment  of  Chief  Jus- 
'  tice  Shippen,  it  may  be  truly  said  that  he  has  left  few  imi- 
'  tators  of  his  manners.  His  politeness  was  of  the  kind 
'  that  has  its  foundations  in  a  well  regulated  temper  and  the 
'  best  feelings  of  a  benevolent  heart,  polished  by  a  familiar 
'  intercourse,  from  his  birth,  with  refined  society.  He  com- 
'  bined,  in  a  remarkable  degree,  benignity  with  dignity,  con- 
'  ciliating  the  aflFections  while  he  commanded  a  perfect 
'  respect ;  and,  as  a  valuable  citizen,  and  an  accomplished 
*  lawyer  and  judge,  remarkable  for  the  great  extent  and 
'  minute  accuracy  of  his  knowledge,  he  must  ever  be  con- 
'  spicuous,  among  those  worthies  who  have  won,  by  their 
'  virtues  and  their  talents,  an  imperishable  name.' 

Judge  Shippen  was,  as  has  been  alleged,  a  loyalist,  and 
Mr.  Sabine,  whose  research  and  impartiality  entitle  his 
opinions  to  the  most  respectful  consideration,  has  so  regarded 
him.  It  seems  to  me,  that  setting  aside  the  fact  of  his 
having  been  subsequently  appointed  Chief  Justice,  and  the 
bearing  which  that  has  as  showing  the  esteem  in  which  he 
was  held  by  his  contemporaries,  his  letters  show  him  to  have 
been,  if  a  loyalist,  one  of  the  most  moderate  kind.  He  was 
evidently  a  man  of  quiet  and  peaceable  temper;  shrinking 
not  only  '  from  war  and  war's  alarms,'  but  even  from  the 
less  dangerous  and  exciting  strife  of  party  politics.*  The 
boyish  folly  of  his  son,f  who  allowed  himself  to  be  misled 
by  his  elder  companions,  no  doubt  contributed  largely,  if 
not  altogether,  to  the  belief  in  the  loyalism  of  his  father ; 
but,  even  in  this  matter,  the  comments  made  by  Judge 

*  Mr.  Wharton  (State  Trials,  p.  46)  has  given  us  a  most  vivid 
picture  of  the  manner  in  which,  in  the  times  of  political  strife  just 
after  the  Revolution,  the  Pennsylvania  judges,  as  well  as  those  of 
other  States,  wielded  their  high  offices  to  serve  their  respective  par- 
ties. To  no  such  censure  was  the  judicial  career  of  Mr.  Shippen 
obnoxious. 

f  See  post,  letters,  p.  255. 


Shippen  in  his  letter  to  bis  father  at  Lancaster,  show  the 
real  feelings  and  spirit  of  the  man  ;  and  the  manner  in  which 
Gen.  Washington  disposed  of  it  may  be  considered  as  pro- 
ving, that  the  sentiments  which  that  great  patriot  entertained 
concerning  Judge  Shippen,  were  not  those  with  which  he 
regarded  active  or  well  known  loyalists.* 

Many  persons  in  the  Colonics  regarded  the  taxation  and 
other  oppressions  of  their  country,  as  proceeding  wholly 
from  the  Ministry,  and  not  from  the  Crown.  They  termed 
the  war  *a  wicked  ministerial  war,'  and  whilst  disposed  to 
venture  everything  for  their  liberty  and  rights,  they  were 
not  prepai'ed  to  recognize  the  necessity  of  a  separation. 
It  was  to  this  class,  including  many   *  men  of  undoubted 

*  patriotism/  I  believe  Judge  Shippen  to  have  belonged. f 

Mr.  Shippen  married  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Tench  Francis, 

*  Sparks'  Washington,  III.  343. 

f  Mr.  Sabine,  in  his  manly  and  impartial  essay  prefixed  to  his 
Loyalists,  has  so  fully  considered  this  subject  that  a  reference  to  it 
is  sufficient  for  the  purposes  of  these  notices.  One  short  extract 
from  it  (p.  67)  will  serve  to  show  that  even  ardent  Whig  leaders  yt&ve 
not  without  doubts  as  to  the  wisdom  of  a  separation. 

'  All,  both  Whigs  and  Tories,  were  born  and  had  grown  up  under 
'  a  monarchy  ;  and  the  abstract  question  of  renouncing  it  or  of  con- 
'  tinning  it  was  one  on  which  men  of  undoubted  patriotism  difforo(l 
'  widely.  Vcrj'  many  of  the  Whigs  came  into  the  final  m(>asure  of 
'  separating  from  the  mother  country  with  great  reluctance,   and 

*  doubt  and  hesitation  prevailed  even  in  Congress.  Besides,  the 
'  Whig  leaders  uniformly  denied,  that  Independence  was  embraced 
'in  their  plans,  and  constantly  affirmed,  that  their  sole  object  was 
'  to  obtain  concessions,  and  to  continue  the  connection  with  England 
'  as  hitherto  ;  and  John  Adams  goes  further  than  this,  for,  says  he, 
'  "  there  was  not  a  moment  during  the  revolution,  when  I  would  not  have 
'given  evergthing  I  jMssessed  for  a  restoration  to  the  state  of  things 
'  before  the  contest  began, provided  ire  could  have  had  a  sujjicicnt  security 
'for  its  continuance.'^  If  ^Ir.  Adams  be  rcgnrded  as  expressing  the 
'  sentiments  of  the  Whigs,  they  were  willing  to  remain  Colonists, 
'provided  they  could  have  liad  their  rights  secured  to  them  ;  while 
'  the  Tories  were  contented  thus  to  continue,  without  such  security. 
'  Such,  as  it  appears  to  me,  was  the  only  difference  between  the  two 
'  parties  prior  to  hostilities,  and  many  Whigs,  like  Mr.  Adams,  wouM 
'  have  been  willing  to  rescind  the  declaration  of  independence,  and 

*  to  forget  the  past,  upon  projier  guarantees  for  the  future.' 


xl 

with  whom  he  studied.*     Of  her  fiimily  I  have  obtained 
the  following  information. 

The  first  of  the  family  of  Francis,  of  whom  the  American 
descendants  have  any  account,  was 

*  The  following  letter  is  characteristic  of  the  '  manners  of  the 
*  time,'  as  to  marriages: 

WILLIAM  ALLEN  TO  EDWARD  SHIPPEN,  AT  LANCASTER. 

'  Dear  Sir: — Your  son  delivered  me  your  favor,  by  which  I  ob- 
serve that  he  has  requested  your  consent  to  his  marriage,  and  that 
you  would  be  so  good  as  to  give  him  your  assistance  in  setting  him 
forward  in  the  world ;  and,  by  what  you  write,  I  perceive  he  has 
signified  to  you  that  Mr.  Francis  would  expect  that  something 
should  be  done  for  him  which  would  bear  a  proportion  to  what  he 
gives  his  daughter.  I  have  perused  the  estimate  of  what  you 
intend  for  both  your  sons,  and  have  well  weighed  the  reasons  you 
give  for  your  conduct  on  the  occasion,  and  I  have  made  so  free  as 
to  confer  with  my  mother  about  the  affair,  and  to  communicate  the 
contents  of  your  letter.  As  both  she  and  I  have  had  a  sincere 
regard  for  you  and  your  family,  and  have  heartily  wished  their 
welfare,  and  as  you  have  been  pleased  to  regard  us  in  that  light 
by  communicating  your  thoughts  on  the  occasion,  I  shall,  with  the 
freedom  and  candor  of  a  friend,  give  you  my  sentiments ;  which, 
however,  are  submitted  to  your  better  judgment.  And,  as  you 
know  your  own  circumstances  better  than  I  possibly  can,  you  can 
more  rightly  determine  what  is  expedient  for  you  to  do. 

'  I  would  first  mention  that  you  seem  to  think  there  is  danger  of 
your  removal  from  your  offices,  and  that  you  hold  them  by  a  pre- 
carious tenure.  To  this  give  me  leave  to  answer  that  Sam  Bleus- 
ton  was  the  only  prothonotary  ever  removed  in  the  Province,  as 
far  as  I  can  learn ;  and  it  was  done  because  he  set  himself  against 
and  insulted  government  to  a  high  degree.  I  very  well  know  that 
Mr.  Hamilton  was  of  opinion  that  he  could  not  be  legally  removed, 
and  told  Governor  Thomas  that  Sam  would  contest  it ;  but  he, 
being  a  proud,  rich  fellow,  was  either  ill  advised  or  did  not  think 
it  worth  while  to  have  any  contention  about  it.  The  office  of  pro- 
thonotary is,  in  its  nature,  during  good  behavior,  and  until  a 
person  is  legally  convicted  of  ill  behavior,  he  cannot,  in  my  opin- 
ion, be  legally  ousted  from  the  office.  Ill  behavior  may  be  made 
out  in  sundry  ways,  such  as  notorious  crime,  neglect  of  the  records, 
&c.  In  some  conversation  with  Mr.  Francis  on  this  subject,  on  a 
former  occasion,  I  found  he  was  of  opinion  that  the  office  was  for 
life.  All  of  them  in  England  are  on  that  footing.  Bordly,  of 
Maryland,  was  removed,  and  he  brought  his  action  against  the 
person  appointed  in  his  place,  and  recovered  damages  against  him. 
But,  in  case  the  Proprietor  should  contemplate  such  a  step,  can 
you  believe  that  your  interest  with  the  present  Governor  and  his 
friends,  your  alliance  with  Mr.  Francis  and  his  family,  to  say  no 


xli 

Philip  Francis,*  Mayor  of  Plymouth  in  164:4,  during 
the  civil  war.  lie  was  a  Royalist,  and  it  is  said,  that  the 
subsequent  preferment  of  his  son  and  grandson  in  the 
Church  of  Ireland  was  owing  to  his  services  in  the  cause  of 
the  King.     His  son, 

The  Very  Rev.  John  Francis,  D.D.,  was  Dean  of  Leigh- 
lin,  about  the  close  of  that  century,  a  position  which  he  held 

'  more,  would  not  be  sufficient  to  prevent  anything  of  the  sort  being 
'  put  into  execution?  Believe  me,  I  think  you  are  as  safe  from  any 
'  danger  of  removal  as  I  am  from  being  dispossessed  of  the  house  in 
'  which  I  live.  Your  prudence  is  such  that  you  will  ever  recommend 
'  yourself  to  the  Proprietor  and  his  friends. 

'  I  have  dwelt  thus  long  upon  this  matter  in  order  to  set  it  in  a 
'  right  light.  As,  therefore,  you  have  an  honorable  subsistence  for 
'yourself;  and  as,  when  you  made  application  for  the  office,  you 
'very  handsomely  said,  that  your  object  in  asking  it  was  that  you 
'  might  have  it  in  your  power  to  do  something  for  your  children  ; 
'  these  considerations  make  me  presume  so  far  as  to  give  you  my 
'  opinion  that  what  you  propose  to  make  over  to  your  son  upon  his 

*  marriage,  is  not  sufficient.  It  is  not  equal  to  the  fortune  which 
'  Mr.  Francis  gives  his  daughter ;  and  as  you  have  the  name  about 
'  town  of  having  a  good  estate,  and  own  sundry  houses,  the  world 
'  will  think  it  strange,  if,  on  the  marriage  of  your  eldest  son,  you  do 
'  not  give  him  a  house  to  live  in ;  and,  if  this  match  should  be  bro- 
'  ken  off,  where,  do  you  think,  is  he  like  to  succeed,  when  it  is  told 
'  that  his  father  disregarded  him  so  much  that  he  would  give  him 
'  little  or  nothing.  I  think  it  will  be  putting  a  slight  on  your  son, 
'  who  is  generally  well  thought  of,  and  who,  if  no  accident  happens 
'  to  depress,  will  make  a  figure  in  the  Province. 

'  I  observe,  likewise,  the  estimate  you  make  of  what  you  intend 
♦to  give  your  son  Joseph.  If  a  house  to  each  of  them  were  added 
* — that  where  Evans  lives,  and  that  where  Mr.  Burd  did  live — it 
'  would  be  of  service  to  them,  and  woiild  not  be  missed  by  you. 

'  My  mother  joins  me  in  opinion  as  to  this  matter.  But  I  beg 
'leave  to  assure  you,  that  nothing  would  have  induced  me  to  be 
'  thus  free,  were  I  not  persuaded  that  you  would  be  so  kind  as  to 

♦  believe  it  to  proceed  from  my  hearty  friendship  and  good  will. 
'  Your  son  knows  not  the  contents  of  this.  I  think  it  not  advisable 
'  for  me  to  say  anything  of  the  aflfair  to  Mr.  Francis  for  many  very 
'  good  reasons,  too  tedious  to  mention. 

'  I  beg  leave  to  assure  you  that  I  am,  sir, 

'  Your  atfectionate  friend,  kinsman  and  humble  servant, 

'WILL.  ALLEN.' 
*  The  coat  of  arms  is — '  Per  bend  or  and  sa.  a  lion  ramp.  c(mn- 
terchanged.     Crest.  An  eagle  displ.  erm.  beaked  and  raembcred  or. 


xlii 

until  1704  at  least;  whea  be  appears  to  have  sat  in  the 
Convention  at  Dublin.*  He  seems  to  have  been  a  scholar 
and  a  great  collector  of  books,  and  the  itinerant  Bibliopole, 
John  Dunton,  who  was  very  grateful  for  his  patronage,  de- 
scribes him  as  a  very  eloquent  preacher.     His  son, 

The  Very  Kev.  John  Francis,  was  Dean  of  Lismorc, 
1722,  and  held  besides,  the  Rectory  of  St.  Mary's  Church, 
Dublin;  from  which,  it  is  said,  ha  was  ejected  for  his 
Jacobitism.  From  this,  it  is  inferred,  that  he  inherited  the 
attachment  to  the  Stuarts,  to  which  the  advancement  of  his 
family  in  the  Church  of  Ireland  has  been  attributed. 

He  married  Miss  Tench,  a  lady  of  good  family,  and  by 
her  had,  amongst  others. 
Tench,  of  whom  more  hereafter,  as  head  of  the  American 

branch  of  the  family. 
Richard,  an  eminent  lawyer,  author  of  a  work,  '■  Maxims 
*  in  Equity,'  well  thought  of  and  esteemed  by  his  pro- 
fessional brethren.  It  has  been  frequently  reprinted.']' 
Philip,  who  entered  the  Church.  He  abandoned  the  Tory 
principles  of  the  family,  became  the  chaplain  to  Lord 
Holland,  and  obtained  through  his  influence  a  Rectorate 

*  Ware's  History  of  the  Church  in  Ireland. 

f  Maxims  of  Equity,  &c.     By  Richard  Francis,  of  the  Middle 

Temple,  Esq.     First  American  Edition.    By  AVilliam  Waller  Hening, 

Counsellor  at  Law,  Editor  of  the  Statutes  at  Large  of  Virginia,  &c. 

RICHMOND: 

1823. 

Freface  to  the  First  American  Edition. 
Francis's  Maxims  have  long  held  a  distinguished  rank  among 
books  of  authority.  They  were  first  published  in  London,  in  1728, 
in  a  thin  folio  volume;  and  although  the  title  pages  of  1739  and 
1746,  pui'port  to  be  the  second  and  third  editions,  yet,  all  the  books 
are  of  the  same  impression.  [See  Clarke's  Bibliotheca  Legum, 
or  Law  Catalogue,  p.  275.]  In  1791,  an  octavo  edition  was  pub- 
lished in  Dublin. 


xliii 

in  Suffolk.     He  received  the  degree  of  D.D.  1702,  from 
the  University  of  Dublin,  and  died  in  1773.* 
He  is  mo.-5t  bitterly  satirized  by  Churchill,  in  '■  The  Au- 
'  thor,'f  and,  it  is  said,  not  very  highly  esteemed 
by  his  American  relatives,  whom  he  visited.     But 
he  was  a  man  of  fine  talents  and  learning,  as  es- 
hibited  in  his  translations  of  Horace,  Demosthenes, 
and  other  publications,  amongst  which  were  seve- 
ral Plays,   which   have   received  a  fair  share  of 
commendation. 
His  son,  b.  1740,  at  Dublin,  was  the  celebrated  Sir 
Philip  Francis,^  K.  G-.  C.  B.,  now  generally  sup- 
posed to  have  been  the  author  of  Junius. 


Tench  Francis,  above  mcutioned,  emigrated  to  Mary- 
land shortly  after  the  year  1700.  He  had  received  a  learned 
and'  legal  education  in  his  own  country,  and  established 
himself  in  Kent  County,  where,  1724,  he  m.  Elizabeth 
TuRBUTT,  a  lady  of  great  beauty  and  good  family.  But  he 
was  soon  attracted  to  Philadelphia  as  a  better  field  for  his 
talents.  In  1744  he  was  made  Attorney  General,  and  held 
the  po.sition  till  1752;  and  from  1750  to  1754,  he  was  Re- 
corder of  the  City. 

*  Rose  [Biog.  Diet.)  says,  th.at  Gibbon  was  for  a  short  time  one 
of  bis  pupils,  and  that  bis  Rectory  at  Barrow  in  Suffolk,  and  also 
the  chaplainship  of  Chelsea  College,  were  the  rewards  of  his  services 
as  a  political  writer. 

f  The  Editor  of  Churchill's  Works,  London,  1804,  seems,  in  a 
prefaratory  note  to  'The  Author,'  to  casta  doubt  upon  the  sup- 
posed reference  to  this  Dr.  Francis;  and  attributes  Churchill's 
enmity,  if  Dr.  Francis  be  the  person  spoken  of,  to  political  feelings. 

%  For  a  sketch  of  Sir  Philip,  see  Rose's  Biog.  Diet.  s.  v. 


xliv 

He  was  highly  considered  as  a  man,  a  lawyer,  and  a 
scholar.  He  was  also  something  of  an  author.  One  of  his 
pieces  on  *  Paper  Currency/  is  printed  in  Pownall's  work 
on  the  Colonies,  and  has  received  the  praise  of  political 
economists  of  the  present  century,  as  showing  him  to  have 
been  far  in  advance  of  his  times.* 

He  died  Aug.  14,  1758. 

His  children  were, 

1.  John,  b.  1725;  d.  unm. 

2.  Anne,  b.   1727;    d.    1771.     She   was   m.  to   James 

TiLGHMAN,  Secretary  of  the  Land  Office  in  Pennsyl- 
vania."!"      They  had  a  large  family,  among  whom  were. 

Tench,  a  Colonel  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  aid 
to  Gen.  Washington,  &c. 

Anne,  m.  to  Wm.  Hemsley,  Esq. 

Elizabeth,  m.  to  James  Lloyd,  Esq. 

*  The  portraits  of  himself  and  wife,  also  of  .James  Tilgliman  and 
wife,  the  latter  holding  Chief  Justice  Tilghman,  then  a  child,  are  in 
possession  of  Miss  Burd. 

f  From  an  exceedingly  curious  MS.  'account  of  births  and 
'  deaths,  &c.'  of  various  Maryland  families,  I  extract  the  following : 
Richard  Tilghman,  (whose  pedigree  is  given  in  the  MS.  to  Richard 
Tilghman,  living  1399  in  the  reign  of  Henry  IV,)  b.  1626  ;  m.  Miss 
Foxley.  He  came  to  Maryland  in  1675,  was  bred  a  surgeon,  and 
was  one  of  the  signers  to  '  have  justice  done'  on  Charles  I,  and  left 
England  for  fear  of  the  consequences.     His  tenth  child, 

Richard,  m.  1672  Anna  Maria  Lloyd,  and  had,  with  others, 
James  Tilghman,  m.  Ann  Francis. 

Anna  Maria,  second  dau.  and  fourth  child  of  Matthew  Tilghman 
and  Anne  his  wife,  was  born  on  the  17th  day  of  July,  1755.  She 
m.  Col.  Tench  Tilghman,  one  of  Gen.  Washington's  aids-de-camp, 
whose  likeness,  with  that  of  the  General  and  the  Marquis  de  Lafay- 
ette, was  taken  by  order  of  the  Legislature  of  Maryland,  and  sus- 
pended in  the  room  occupied  by  the  House  of  Delegates,  where  it 
now  remains.     They  had  children, 

Margaret,  who  m.  Tench  Tilghman,  of  Talbot  county,  Mary- 
land, and  d.  leaving  one  son.  Tench. 
Elizabeth,  who  m.  Nicholas  Goldsborough,  of  Talbot  county, 
Mai-yland. 


xlv 

William,  afterwards  Chief  Justice  of  Pcnnsyl- 
vania,*  m.  Margaret  Allen. 

PniLip,  who  entered  the  English  Navy,  and  mar- 
ried a  daughter  of  Admiral  Milbank. 

3.  Mary,  b.  1729 ;  d.  1801 ;  m.  William  Coxe,  of  New 

Jersey,  by  whom  she  had  a  large  family.  Among 
them  were, 

Tench,  of  some  note  as  an  author  and  politician, 
m.  Miss  McCall. 

John,  a  Judge  of  the  District  Court. 

William,  an  eminent  pomologist. 

Daniel  W.,  m.  Margaret  Burd. 

Sarah,  m.  to  Andrew  Allen,  Esq. 

Kebecca,  m.  to  Dr.  Wm.  Mcllvaine,  an  eminent 
physician. 

4.  Tench,  b.  1730;  d.  1800;  m.  17G2,  Anne,  eldest  dau. 

of  Charles  and  Anne  Willing.     They  had  issue, 

1.  John  Francis,  b.  1763;  m.  Abby,  dau.  of 

Hon.  John  Brown,  of  Rhode  Island,  and  was 
the  father  of  the  Hon.  John  Brown  Fran- 
cis, Senator  of  the  United  States,  Governor 
of  Rhode  Island,  &c. 

2.  Thomas  Willing  Francis,  b.  1767,  an  emi- 

nent merchant  in  Philadelphia.  He  m.  Doro- 
thy, dau.  of  Hon.  Thomas  Willing,  by  whom 
he  had  a  large  family,  of  whom  now  survive 
only, 

Elizabeth,  m.  to  her  cousin,  the  Hon. 
John  B.  Francis,  above  mentioned. 

*  See  Mr.  Binney's  eloquent  eulogium,  Ajjj)endix  to  IG  Sergeant 
Sf  Rawle's  Reports. 


xlvi 

Anne,  in.  to  Hon.  James  A.  Bayard,  U. 
S.  Senator  from  Delaware. 

3.  Sophia  Francis,  m.  to  George  Harrison,  Esq., 

of  Philadelphia.     She  d.  1851. 

4.  Charles  Francis,  b,  1771;  d.  unm.  1845. 

5.  Elizabeth  Powel  Francis,  b.   1777;   m. 

1806  to  Joshua  Fisher.     She  still  survives. 

She  is  the  mother  of  Mr.  J.  Francis  Fisher, 

who  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  the  Hon.  Henry 

Middleton,  Governor  of  South  Carolina,  and 

Minister  to  the  Court  of  St.  Petersburg. 

Mrs.   Middleton  was  the  dau. .of  Col.  Julines 

Hering,  of  Jamaica,  whose  wife  was  Mary 

Helen,   dau.    of    John   Inglis,   and    Mary 

McCall,  of  Philadelphia. 

5.  Elizabeth,  b.  1733;  d.  1800;  m.  John  Lawrence,  by 

whom  she  had  one  child, 

Elizabeth,  m.   to  James  Allen,   son  of  Chief 
Justice  Allen.*     They  had, 
Jabies,  who  d.  s.  p. 
Anne  Penn,  m.  to  James  Greenleaf. 
Margaret,  m.  to  Chief  Justice  Tilghman. 
Mart,  (still  living)  m.  to  Harry  Walter  Liv- 
ingston, of  Livingston's  Manor,  New  York. 

6.  Margaret  Francis,  b.  1735;  d.  1794;  m.  to  Edward 

Shippen,  Chief  Justice,   as  aboye   mentioned.     They 
had  issue, 

1.  Elizabeth,  m.  to  Edward  Burd,  Major  in  the 
American  Army  during  the  Revolution,  son 
of  Col.    James   Burd   and   Sarah   Shippen. 

*  Sabine's  Loyalists,     s.  v.  Allen. 


xlvii 

They  had  issue, 

Edward  Shippen  Burd,  m.  Miss  Sims. 
Margaret,  m.  to  D.  W.  Coxe. 
Sarah,  still  living. 

2.  Sarah,  m.  to  Thomas  Lea,  and  had, 

Robert. 

Margaret,  m.    to   Dominick  L3'nch,  of 

New  York.     They  had  six  children. 
Jane,  m.  to  Julius  Izard  Pringle,  of  S.  C, 

and  has  issue. 
Dominick,  m.  Antonia  Arquimba,  of  Port 

Mahon. 
Margaret   Shippen,  m.  to  Stewart   C. 

Maitland,  of  Scotland'.* 

GrEORGE  HARRISON. 

3.  Edward,  m.  Elizabeth  Footman.     They  had, 

Edward, 

Margaret, 

Elizabeth, 

Richard, 

Mary, 

Fanny. 

4.  Mary,  m.  Dr.  Wm.  Mcllvaine.     They  had, 

William, 

Edward  Bloomfield, 

Maria, 

Margaret. 

5.  James. 

6.  Margaret,  m.  April  8, 1779,  to  Gen.  Arnold. f 

They  had  issue, 

*  Burke's  Landed  Gentry. 

f  Arnold  of  Little  Messenden  Abbey.     Burke's  Landed  Gentry. 


xlviii 

Edward  Shippen,  Lieut.  Gtli  Bengal  Cavalry, 
and  Paymaster  of  Muttra;  d.  at  Dinapoor 
in  India,  Dec.  13,  1813. 

James  Robertson,*  Major  General,  K.  H.  and 
K.  Crescent,  m.  Virginia,  dau.  of  Bartlett 
Goodrich,  Esq.,  of  Saling  Grove,  Essex. 


*  Lieut.  Gen.  Robertson  Arnold  died  in  London  on  December 
27th,  1854.  He  was  a  second  son  of  Benedict  Arnold  by  Margaret 
bis  wife,  daughter  of  Chief  Justice  Shippen,  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
entered  the  corps  of  Royal  Engineers  in  1798,  and  served  more  than 
half  a  century.  He  married  Virginia,  daughter  of  Bartlett  Good- 
rich, Esq.,  of  the  Isle  of  Wight,  and  for  his  military  services  was 
created  a  Knight  of  Hanover,  was  appointed  Aid-de-camp  to  William 
IV,  and  was  presented  with  a  costly  sword. 

The  above-named  ofiBcer  was  the  second  of  five  children  which 
Arnold's  second  wife,  Miss  Shippen  of  Philadelphia,  bore  him,  viz  : 
Edward,  James  Robertson,  George,  Wm.  F.,  and  Sophia.  His  first 
wife  bore  three  sons,  viz:  Benedict,  Richard  and  Henry.  Benedict,  the 
eldest,  an  officer  of  artillery  in  the  British  army,  died  young  in  the 
West  Indies.  Henry  entered  the  King's  service  after  his  father's 
defection,  and  was  a  lieutenant  of  cavaky  in  the  American  Legion. 
He  lived  afterwards  at  Troy,  New  York,  with  his  aunt  Hannah,  and 
was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  At  a  subsequent  period  he 
removed  to  Canada,  where  he  is  now  a  man  of  property.  He  re- 
ceived half  pay  and  a  grant  of  lands  from  the  British  government. 
Richard  in  1782  was  also  a  lieutenant  of  cavalry  in  the  American 
Legion,  commanded  by  his  father.  In  almost  every  particular  his 
history  is  identical  with  that  of  his  brother  Henry. 

James  Robertson  entered  the  British  army  in  1798,  and  rose  to  the 
rank  of  Colonel  of  Engineers.  He  was  stationed  at  Bermuda  from 
1816  to  1818,  and  from  the  last-named  year  until  1823,  was  at  Hali- 
fax, and  the  commanding  officer  of  engineers  in  Nova  Scotia  and 
New  Brunswick.  While  thus  in  command  he  was  at  St.  Johns,  and 
on  going  into  the  house  built  by  his  father,  in  King  street,  which  is 
still  standing,  he  wept  like  a  child.  He  was  a  small  man  ;  his  eyes 
wei'e  of  remarkable  sharpness,  and  in  features  bore  a  striking 
resemblance  to  his  father.  A  gentleman,  who  has  been  in  service 
with  him,  and  was  intimately  acquainted  with  him,  speaks  of  him 
in  terms  of  high  commendation,  and  relates  that  he  has  often  heard 
him  express  a  strong  desire  to  visit  the  United  States.  Since  the 
accession  of  Queen  Victoria,  he  has  been  one  of  her  majestj''s  aids- 
de-camp.  In  1841,  he  was  transferred  from  the  engineer  corps  and 
appointed  Major  General,  and  a  lijiight  of  the  Royal  Hanoverian 
Guelphic  Order.     See  Sabine's  Loyalists,     s.  v.  Arnold. 


xliz 

George,  Lieut.  Col.  2cl  Bengal  Cavalry ;  d.  in 

India,  Nov.  1,  1828. 
William  Fitch,  of  Little  Messenden  Abbey, 
county  Bucks,    a  magistrate   for   Bucks, 
late  Capt.  19th  Lancers,  b.  June  25, 1794 ; 
m.  May  19,  1819,  Elizabeth  Cecilia,  only 
dau.  of  Alexander  Ruddach,  Esq.,  Capt. 
R.  N.,  of  Dorkney  and  of  the  island  of 
Tobago,  and  has  issue, 
Edward  Glaburn, 
Margaretta  Stewart, 
William  Trail, 
Elizabeth  Sophia, 
Georgiana  Phipps, 
Louisa  Russell. 
Sophia  Matilda,  m.  to  Col.  Pownall  Phipps, 
I  E.  I.  C  service;  related  to  the  Mulgrave 

family,  and  has  one  son  and  two  daugh- 
ters. 
Ar7ns. — Gu.  three  pheons,  arg.  on  a  chief  of  the 

second,  a  bar  nebulee,  az. 
Crest. — A  demitiger,  sa.  bezantec,  maned  and 
tufted  or,  holding  a  broad  arrow,  stick,  gu. 
feathers  and  pheon,  arg. 
Motto. — Nil  desperandum. 

7.  PwACHAel  Francis,  b.  1737;  m.  1st,  Mr.  Relfe;* 
2dly,  Matthew  Pearce,  by  whom  she  had  several 
children. 

*  'Feb.  10,  ]7r.O. 
'  My  sister,  Rachel  Francis,  is  to  be  married  in  a  fortnight  to  Mr, 
'JohnRelfe.' 

3 


8.  TuRBUTT  Francis,  b,  1740;  d.  1797.     He  was  a  Colo- 

nel in  the  British  Continental  array,  and  distinguished 
in  the  French  and  Indian  wars.     He  m.  Kebecca,  the 
only  dau.  of  Samuel  Mifflin,  and  by  her  had, 
Tench. 
Samuel,  who  took  the  name  of  his  grandfather 

Mifflin,  and  m.  Elizabeth  Davis. 
Rebecca,  who  m.  Mathias  Harrison.     Their  dau. 
is  Rebecca,  widow  of  the  late  James  McMur- 
trie,  Esq. 

9.  Philip,  b.  1748 ;  m.  his  first  cousin,  on  the  maternal 

side,  a  Miss  Goldsborough,  of  JMaryland.  He  left  de- 
scendants by  a  daughter,  m.  to  a  Mr.  Thomas,  of  Mary- 
land, whose  son, 

Philip  Francis  Thomas,  was  a  few  years  since 
Governor  of  Maryland. 


"  The  mari-iage  of  one  of  the  daughters  of  Chief  Justice 
Shippen  to  the  notorious  General  Arnold,  has  given  occa- 
sion to  many  injurious  reflections,  which,  as  they  regard  the 
lady  as  well  as  her  family,  may  be  pronounced  not  only 
unkind,  but  ungenerous.  She  was,  indeed,  unfortunate 
enough  in  such  an  alliance,  and  her  memory  should  have 
been  spared  the  additional  hardship  of  baseless  insinuations. 
For  these,  I  would  refer  to  the  life  of  Arnold,  in  an  anony- 
mous publication  entitled  '  Washington  and  his  Generals/ 
and  to  the  posthumous  memoirs  of  Aaron  Burr,  by  Matthew 
L.  Davis. 

"  It  was  reserved  to  a  late  period  to  account  in  any  way  for 
the  treason  of  Benedict  Arnold  by  a  suggestion  of  the  influ- 


ence  of  the  family  with  which  he  was  associated  by  mar- 
riage, or  of  the  beautiful  young  woman  of  whom  every  do- 
mestic tradition  gives  a  character  the  reverse  of  '  gay  and 
frivolous/  'artful  and  extravagant.' 

"  I  am  allowed  here  to  quote  the  words  of  an  excellent 
Jady,  still  living,  whose  reminiscences  have  been  kindly  fur- 
nished  to  me,  a  lady  to  whose   personal  and   intellectual 
attractions  the  most  malignant  of  IMrs.  Arnold's  detractors 
bears  evidence.     She  says  :  '  I  may  add  my  recollections  of 
*  my  mother's  general  opinion  of  Mrs.   Arnold,  often  cx- 
'  pressed  to  others  as  well  as  to  myself.     Being  intimately 
'  acquainted  with  Mr.  Shippen's  family,  she  well  understood 
'  their  several  characteristics,  and  would  dwell  with  pleasure 
'  on  the  affectionate  and  exemplary  conduct  of  3Irs.  Arnold, 
'  both  before  and  after  her  marriage.     She  used  to  say  that 
'  Miss  Peggy  Shippcn  was  particularly  devoted  to  her  father, 
'  making  his  comfort  her  leading  thought,  often  preferring 
'  to  remain  with  him  when  evening  parties  and  amusements 
<  would  attract  her  sisters  from  home.     She  was  the  darling 
'  of  the  family  circle,  and  never  fond  of  gadding.     There 
'  was  nothing  of  frivolity  either  in  her  dress,  demeanor,  or 
'  conduct,  and  though  deservedly  admired,  she  had  too  much 
'  good  sense  to  be  vain.'     *     *     *     'I  have  often  heard 
'  her  speak  with  deep  feeling  of  the  sad  fate  of  this  most 
'  excellent  woman ;  of  her  great  purity  of  mind  and  princi- 
*  pies,'   &c.     *     *     *     <  This    estimate    of   Mrs.   Arnold's 
'  character  was  also  confirmed  by  my  brother,  who  was  inti- 
'  mately  acquainted  with  the  family  of  Mr.  Shippcn.     He 
'  always  spoke  of  her  with  emphatic  and  distinguished  respect 
'  for  her  highly  estimable  qualities  of  mind  and  heart,  and 
'  he  deplored  for  her  the  lamentable  conflict  she  must  have 
'  endured  on  discovering  her  husband's  treason,  between 


lii 

'  love  for  her  country  and  her  father's  family,  and  grief  for 
'  her  husband's  base  conduct.  Thus  have  I  been  accus- 
'  tomed,  all  my  life,  to  hear  Mrs.  Arnold  spoken  of  as  a 
'  suffering  and  innocent  victim.'* 

*  Additional  testimony  is  to  be  found  in  the  letter  in  •which  Ar- 
nold addressed  her.     He  says : 

'  Dear  Madam  : — Twenty  times  have  I  taken  up  my  pen  to 
'  write  to  you,  and  as  often  has  my  trembling  hand  refused  to  obey 
'  the  dictates  of  my  heart — a  heart  which,  though  calm  and  serene 
'  amidst  the  clashing  of  arms  and  all  the  din  and  horrors  of  war, 
'  trembles  with  diffidence  and  the  fear  of  giving  offence  when  it 
'  attempts  to  address  you  on  a  subject  so  important  to  its  happiness. 
'  Dear  Madam,  your  charms  have  lighted  up  a  flame  in  my  bosom 
'  which  can  never  be  extinguished ;  your  heavenly  image  is  too 
'  deeply  impressed  ever  to  be  effaced.  My  passion  is  not  founded 
'  on  personal  charms  only  :  that  sweetness  of  disposition  and  good- 

*  ness  of  heart,  that  sentiment  and  sensibility  which  so  strongly 
'  mark  the  character  of  the  lovely  Miss  P.  Shippen,  renders  her 

*  amiable  beyond  expression,  and  will  ever  retain  the  heart  she  has 

*  once  captivated. 

'  On  you  alone  my  happiness  depends,  and  will  you  doom  me  to 
'  languish  in  despair  ?  Shall  I  expect  no  return  to  the  most  sincere, 
'  ardent,  and  disinterested  passion  ?  Do  you  feel  no  pity  in  your 
'  gentle  bosom  for  the  man  who  would  die  to  make  you  happy  ? 
'  May  I  presume  to  hope  it  is  not  impossible  I  may  make  a  favorable 
'  impression  on  your  heart  ?  Friendship  and  esteem  you  acknow- 
'  ledge.  Dear  Peggy,  suffer  that  heavenly  bosom,  (which  cannot 
'  know  itself  the  cause  of  pain  without  a  sympathetic  pang,)  to  ex- 
'  pand  with  a  sensation  more  soft,  more  tender  than  friendship.  A 
'  union  of  hearts  is  undoubtedly  necessary  to  happiness ;  but  give 
'  me  leave  to  observe  that  true  and  permanent  happiness  is  seldom 
'  the  effect  of  an  alliance  formed  on  a  romantic  passion,  where  fancy 
'  governs  more  than  judgment.  Friendship  and  esteem,  founded  on 
'  the  merit  of  the  object,  is  the  most  certain  basis  to  build  a  lasting 
'  happiness  upon ;  and  when  there  is  a  tender  and  ardent  passion 
'  on  one  side,  and  friendship  and  esteem  on  the  other,  the  heart 
'  (unlike  yours)  must  be  callous  to  every  tender  sentiment,  if  the 
'  taper  of  love  is  not  lighted  up  at  the  flame. 

» I  am  sensible  your  prudence  and  the  affection  you  bear  your 

*  amiable  and  tender  parents,  forbids  your  giving  encouragement  to 
'  the  addresses  of  any  one  without  their  approbation.     Pardon  me, 

*  dear  madam,  for  disclosing  a  passion  I  could  no  longer  confine  in 
'  my  tortured  bosom.  I  have  presumed  to  write  your  papa,  and 
'  have  requested  his  sanction  to  my  addresses.  Suffer  me  to  hope 
'  for  your  approbation.  Consider  before  you  doom  me  to  misery, 
'  which  I  have  not  deserved  but  by  loving  you  too  extravagantly. 
'  Consult  your  own  happiness,  and  if  incompatible,  forget  there  ia 


im 

"In  a  meraoir  intended  to  circulate  only  witliin  the  limits 
of  our  relationship,  it  may  be  permitted  to  the  descendants 
of  a  family  wbicb  has  at  all  times  been  respected  for  its  vir- 
tues, to  defend  their  loyalty  to  the  government  under  which 
they  were  born. 

"  Attached,  as  they  were,  by  the  strongest  tics,  to  the  land 
of  their  fathers,  they  were  not  less  jealous  of  their  hereditary 
rights  as  freemen ;  and  were  not  found  backward  in  main- 
taining them  by  every  effort  short  of  that  kind  of  resistance 
which  the  laws  they  revered  called  treason.  And  if  they 
doubted  the  security  which  liberty  and  property  might 
obtain  under  democratic  forms  of  government,  or  of  the  pos- 
sibility of  successful  resistance  by  arms  to  the  mighty  power 
of  England,  they  might  well  be  pardoned  for  hesitation  to 
embark  in  a  struggle  which,  should  it  end  in  defeat,  might 
be  followed  by  severe  oppression,  if  in  success,  by  the  con- 
vulsions of  an  unsteady,  disjointed,  weak  confederacy. 

"  It  should  be  recollected,  too,  that  here  in  Pennsylvania, 
the  most  prosperous  of  all  the  colonics,  the  government 
of  the  Proprietaries  had  been  particularly  mild  and  gen- 
erous, to  which  much  consideration  was  deservedly  due. 
And  whatever  cause  of  complaint  we  might  urge,  as  Eng- 
lishmen, against  the  parliament  as  violating  old  Magna 
Charta  rights,  that  our  charter  of  Pennsylvania,  under 
which   we  accepted   our   lands   and   provincial   privileges, 

'  so  unhappy  a  -wretch  ;  for  may  I  perish  if  I  would  give  you  one 
'  moment's  inquietude  to  purcliase  the  greatest  possible  felicity  Xo 
'  myself.  Whatever  my  fate  may  be,  my  most  ardent  wish  is  for 
'  your  happiness,  and  my  latest  breath  will  be  to  implore  the  bles- 
'  sing  of  heaven  on  the  idol  and  only  wisli  of  my  soul. 

'Adieu,  dear  madam,  and  believe  me  unalterably, 

'  Your  sincere  admirer  and  devoted  humble  servant, 

'  B.  ARNOLD. 

'Sc2yt.  25,  1778. 
*  Misa  Peggy  Shippen.' 


liv 

reserved  to  King  and  Parliament  the  rhjht  of  taxation  hy 
duties  on  commerce.  It  might  be  doubted,  therefore,  with 
some  reason,  how  far  warlike  resistance  was  in  any  respect 
justified.  A  large  part  of  our  most  respectable  inhabitants 
were  opposed  to  such  measures  on  principle ;  and  if  the  influ- 
ence of  wealth  increased  their  timidity,  it  was  not  without 
excuse,  when  its  possessors  measured  their  own  pecuniary 
risks  with  that  of  a  large  proportion  of  the  most  flaming 
patriots. 

''  Success  has  added  the  justification  which  belongs  to  it,  to 
the  cause  of  the  republicans,  and  toryism  is  a  name  of 
reproach.  But  the  writer,  who  has  no  disposition  to  detract 
in  any  way  from  the  honors  justly  due  to  those  who  carried 
through  our  revolutionary  struggle,  would  only  ask  for  those 
who,  in  those  trying  times,  still  loved  England,  and  all  its 
time-honored  institutions,  and  feared  to  lose  by  severance 
from  their  mother  country,  the  regulated  liberty  and  stable 
rights  they  most  held  dear,  that  they  should  not  be  branded 
all  as  traitors. 

"  The  writer  has  never  seen  any  evidence  that  the  family 
of  Shippen  sympathized  with  those  who  would  have  op- 
pressed their  country.  Some  of  them  joined  the  American 
armies;  and  those  who  did  not,  and  especially  Mr.  Edward 
Shippen,  submitted  to  the  powers  de  facto,  and  gave  in  his 
declaration  of  neutrality,  or  whatever  was  the  assurance  of 
submission  required. 

"While  Philadelphia  was  held  by  the  British  army,  civili- 
ties were  reciprocated  with  them  by  the  families  of  wealth 
and  birth  who  remained  in  the  city,  and  the  young  ladies 
did  not  reject  the  homage  of  the  accomplished  officers. 
Among  them  was  the  handsome  and  brilliant  Major  Andre, 
who,  endowed  with  all  the  gifts  and  tastes  which  win  the 


It 

regard  of  the  sex,  devoted  them  all  to  please  the  beautiful 
Margaret  Shipper),  and  although  I  believe  there  was  no 
thought  of  love  between  them,  a  mutual  regard  and  friend- 
ship was  established  and  maintained  till  the  sad  catastrophe 
which  involved  the  fate  of  both.  He  was  her  Knight  at  the 
celebrated  fete  of  the  Meschianza,*  and,  it  is  said,  kept  up 
with  her  a  correspondence  of  courtesy,  under  cover  of  which 
he  conveyed  his  communications  to  her  husband.  Of  this, 
however,  only  one  letter ^  offering  to  procure  for  her  in  New 
York  some  articles  of  dress,  is  presented  as  evidence.  But 
even  if  this  supposition  be  well  founded,  it  is  not,  I  believe, 
by  any  one,  .pretended  that  she  was  cognizant  or  in  fault. 

"Soon  after  the  evacuation  of  Philadelphia  by  the  British, 
the  military  command  of  the  city  was  bestowed  on  General 
Arnold. 

"  At  that  time  no  suspicions  of  his  patriotism  had  been 
whispered.  Scarcely  any  soldier  had  done  so  much  to  sus- 
tain the  martial  renown  of  his  country;  and  yet,  notwith- 
standing the  adventurous  expedition  led  by  him  through  the 
northern  wilderness  of  Maine  to  the  siege  of  Quebec,  which, 
it  is  thought,  would  have  been  captured  if  his  advice  had 
been  followed ;  his  brilliant  feats  on  the  lakes  and  in  Con- 
necticut ;  his  gallant  charges  at  Saratoga,  which  decided  the 
victory;  all  this  had  no  influence  in  silencing  personal  ene- 
mies, who  might,  perhaps,  have  been  more  patriotic  if  not 
more  just,  if  they  had  overlooked  some  acts,  the  very  worst 
of  which,  as  proved  before  a  court  martial,  were  not  greatly 
injurious  to  his  country,  and  such,  perhaps,  as  always  have 
been  and  will  be  committed  by  some  who  manage  the  com- 
missariat of  an  army. 

"  It  is  noted  that  on  his  trial  by  court  martial  in  January, 

*  Gent's  Mag.  vol.  48,  (1778),  pp.  330,  353. 


Ivi 

1780,  he  made  a  most  invidious  comparison  between  liis  own 
services  and  those  of  his  chief  accuser,  whose  wavering 
fidelity  he  contrasts  with  his  own  sterner  patriotism,  when, 
at  that  very  time,  he  had  been  for  eight  months  in  corres- 
pondence with  the  enemy.  This  correspondence  was  not,  I 
presume,  at  that  time  even  guessed  at.  It  may  not  unrea- 
sonably be  supposed  to  have  been  begun  under  a  sense  of 
deep  resentment  at  the  charges  made  against  him  while  his 
wounds  were  still  bleeding  from  so  many  a  hard-fought  field. 
For  three  year?  he  had  been  the  object  of  attacks.  From 
influences  which  we  cannot  now  trace,  his  promotion  was 
stopped ;  juniors  put  over  him,  who  had  done  no  such  deeds 
as  his;  honorable  commands  withheld,  which  he  thought  his 
due ;  his  pride  as  an  ofiicer  galled  to  the  utmost,  till  he  was 
driven  to  the  project  of  abandoning  the  service  of  his  coun- 
try, from  which  he  neither  expected  gratitude  nor  justice, 
/do  not  say  that  he  was  in  the  right;  that  he  did  not  merit 
the  distrust  and  neglect  that  he  was  treated  with ;  hut  only 
this,  that  he  might  have  persuaded  himself  fully  that  he  was 
an  injured  and  persecuted  man.  In  matters  of  rank,  no  one 
feels  so  keenly  as  a  soldier.  His  pride  is  more  than  woman's 
vanity,  and  many  a  one  has  abandoned  a  cause  with  far  less 
reason  than  Arnold.  His  was  a  bad  nature,  and  he  went 
further :  he  hetrayed  it.  I  have  the  opinion  of  a  most  can- 
did and  honest  historian  (Mr.  Sparks)  to  confirm  my  own, 
that  had  Arnold  obtained  the  honors  he  fought  for,  or  been 
pardoned  his  official  irregularities ;  had  his  great  public  ser- 
vices been  permitted  to  cover  his  private  misconduct,  he  had 
never  been  the  betrayer  of  the  country  for  which  he  had 
already  done  so  much. 

"  The  coldness  and  resentment  arising  from  what  (whether 
justly  or  not)  he  very  naturally  thought  persecution,  inclined 
him  to  seek  his  society  elsewhere  than  in  that  circle  of  which 


Ivii 

bis  enemies  formed  a  conspicuous  p:irt ;  and  lie  found,  it,  is 
likely,  in  the  high  breeding  and  refinement  of  our   '  little 
'  aristocracy,'  a  charm  which  was  new  to  him.     It  was  not 
long  before  he  became  captive  to  the  fascinations  of  the 
beautiful  Margaret  Shippen,  and  to   the  great  distress  of 
her   family,  she   returned   his   love.*     Tradition   tells   us 
that  the  connection  was  violently  opposed,  not  so  much 
.  from  political  feeling  as  from  distrust  of  the  man,  objec- 
tion to  his  origin,  and  dislike  of  his   private  character, 
as  far  as  it  was  known.     Arnold  wag  not,  in  fact,  a  gentle- 
man.    His  birth  and  early  education  wex'e  low;  and  his 
peddling  and  smuggling  trade  with  the  islands,  and  his 
traffic  in  cattle  and  horses,  could  neither  have  improved  his 
manners  nor  his  morals.     He  was  reckless,  daring  and  un- 
principled; qualities  fit  enough  to  make  a  great  soldier,  but 
not  to  secure  the  confidence  of  an  honorable  parent,  who 
looks  for  something  better  in  the  partner  of  a  darling  child. 
"  It  is,  however,  most  probable  that  anecdotes,  repeated, 
after  his  disgrace,  (perhaps  invented  then  or  embellished,) 
to  illustrate  his  mercenary,  mean,  and  treacherous  dispo- 
sition, were  not  at  that  time  known  in  Philadelphia,  where 
he  arrived,  crippled  with  honorable  wounds,  and  glorious  with 
laurels  won  by  exploits  such  as  no  officer  in  the  army  then 
could  boast  of.     More  likely  is  it  that  then  were  circulated 
traits  of  generosity  and  kindness,  such  as  his  conduct  in 
educating,  at  his  own  expense,  the  orphans  of  Gen.  Wan-en, 
which  fact  alone  goes  to  show  that  his  lavish  expenses  were 
not  wholly  selfish. 

*  The  recollections  of  Miss  Margaret  Shippen,  a  first  cousin  of 
IMrs.  Arnold,  entirely  confirm  this.  She  had  lieard  from  IVIrs.  Burd 
and  Mrs.  Lea,  that  their  fatlier  never  liked  Arnold  from  the  first, 
and  was  not  friendly  to  the  match;  but  that  it  was  encouraged  by 
a  lady,  a  Mrs.  P.,  who  thought  highly  of  him,  and  had  great  influ- 
ence over  the  mind  of  the  young  lady. 
3* 


Iviii 

"  However  defective  in  private  honor  or  real  patriotism,  no 
one  of  our  American  Generals  had  so  many  opportuuiticp  of 
displaying  feats  of  brilliant  courage,  that  there  can  be  no 
doubt  that  the  imagination  of  Miss  Shippen  was  excited  and 
her  heart  captivated  by  the  oft-repeated  stories  of  his  gallant 
deeds.  For  these  alone  she  loved  and  married  him ;  not 
for  the  splendor  of  his  military  rank  and  the  show  of  his 
establishment,  which  must  have  contrasted  greatly  with  what 
she  had  lately  seen  during  the  British  occupation ;  not  for 
the  means  of  gratifying  personal  vanity,  for  Arnold  was 
poor  and  she  enjoyed  all  that  wealth  could  give;  still  less 
to  win  him  from  the  cause  to  which  every  honorable  thought 
should  bind  him.  Never  could  she  have  believed  that  trea- 
son would  one  day  wither  those  glorious  laurels.  Never 
could  her  influence  have  been  used  to  weaken  his  attachment 
to  the  cause  to  which  he  had  devoted  himself.  Against  the 
wishes  of  her  family,  she  chose  a  hero  for  her  husband ;  and 
had  her  influence  been  of  any  avail,  it  would  have  preserved 
him  in  the  ways  of  honor.  He  dared  not  make  her  the 
confidante  of  his  projected  treason,  or  we  may  be  sure  he 
would  have  'found  a  counsellor  on  his  pillow  to  urge  him  to 
'  the  imitation  of  repviblican  virtue„and  stimulate  him  to 
'  follow  the  rugged  path  of  a  revolutionary  patriot.' 

"  What  can  be  meant  by  the  writer  who  ventures  to  say 
'  there  is  no  reason  to  think  she  ever  utter'd  a  word,  or  made 
'  a  sign  to  deter  him,'  while  he  'utterly  rejects  the  theory 
'  that  she  was  the  instigator  of  the  crime/  and  admits  '  that 
'  she  never  tempted  or  counselled  him  to  ruin  ?'  Every 
testimony  hut  one,  which  we  have  hereafter  to  consider,  pro- 
nounces her  innocent — nay,  utterly  ignorant  and  unsuspi- 
cious of  his  designs.     What  word,  then,  or  sign,  could  she 


lix 

have  used?  what  'guai'dianship  exert  to  protect  him  from 
'  the  tempter  ?' 

''  We  have  the  evidence  of  Cols.  Hamilton  and  Varick  as 
to  the  condition  of  this  unhappy  lady  on  the  discovery  at 
West  Point.  Frantic  with  grief,  she  touched  the  heart  of 
every  one  around  her.  Crushed  to  the  earth  in  her  affec- 
tions and  her  honor;  the  pride  of  her  heart,  the  credit  of 
her  name,  the  honorable  inheritance  of  her  child,  all  at 
once  destroyed ;  the  husband  whom  she  had  loved  to  regard 
as  a  patriot  hero,  the  very  Paladin  of  the  war,  now  only  to 
be  despised  and  hated.  In  this  cloud  of  agonizing  thought, 
she  threw  herself  on  the  compassion  of  that  great  man  who 
always  did  what  was  right,  and  he  gave  her  not  only  his 
pity  and  protection,  but  what  was  better,  the  assurance  of 
his  respect  and  confidence.  Washington  told  her  he  was 
perfectly  sure  of  her  innocence,  and  offered  her  an  escort, 
whether  she  chose  to  follow  her  husband,  or  return  to  her 
father's  house.  Be  it  remembered,  she  decided  on  the  latter 
course ;  and,  had  it  rested  with  her,  she  would,  it  is  pro- 
bable, never  have  rejoined  the  husband  who  had-  so  utterly 
forfeited  her  esteem. 

"  Since  the  above  was  first  written,  I  have  been  furnished 
with  the  reminiscences  of  the  lady  whose  words  I  have  before 
quoted  in  confirmation  of  my  statements.  Those  who  know 
her  intimately,  as  I  have  done  from  my  childhood,  will  give 
them  the  highest  value  for  truthful  accuracy,  right  feeling, 
and  just  appreciation.  It  is  Mrs.  James  Gibson,  who  writes 
as  follows : 

'  I  propose  now  to  relate  an  anecdote  on  this  subject, 
'  which  is  fresh  to  my  own  knowledge  and  recollection. 

'  Major  Franks,  of  the  Revolutionary  army,  was  a  well 
'  known  acquaintance  of  my  parents.     He  was  respected  and 


Ix 

welcomed  wherever  be  went,  for  his  social  good  humor  and 
manly  candor.  In  one  of  his  visits  to  Philadelphia,  where 
his  near  relations  resided,  he  was  often  at  my  father's;  and 
one  day,  when  dining  with  other  gentlemen  at  our  house, 
and  my  father  and  the  others  had  returned  to  the  parlor, 
my  mother  detained  Major  Franks  to  converse  with  him 
respecting  Mrs.  Arnold,  whom  she  had  recently  heard  very 
unjustly  spoken  of.  He  entered  upon  the  subject  with 
alacrity.  Mamma  said  to  him,  ''  Tell  me,  Major  Franks, 
"  what  is  your  opinion  and  belief  concerning  her  know- 
''  ledge  of  her  husband's  plans."  He  quickly  replied, 
"  Madam,  she  knew  nothing  of  them — nothing  !  She  was 
"  as  isnorant  of  them  as  a  babe."  His  manner  was  solemn 
and  earnest,  and  I  began  to  think  it  might  be  proper  for 
me  to  withdraw,  but  he  said,  "  Don't  let  Betsy  go — I  have 
'<  nothing  to  say  that  she  may  not  hear."  Of  course,  I 
gladly  resumed  my  seat  at  the  table,  and  he  went  on : — 
"  Madam,  I  am  glad  you  have  mentioned  this  subject.  I 
"  have  much  to  say.  I  am  much  distressed  by  it.  Within 
"  a  few  days  I  have  heard,  for  the  first  time,  things  said  of 
"  her  that  are  contrary  to  truth — false ! — utterly  false  ! 
"  You  know  I  was  one  of  Gen.  Arnold's  aids.  He  paid 
''  me  the  compliment  to  assign  me  the  particular  duty  of 
"  protecting  Mrs.  Arnold ;  of  attending  to  her  safety,  her 
"  general  welfare,  and  her  health.  I  was,  in  the  General's 
"  family,  laughingly  called  '  the  nurse  !'  Her  health  was 
"  then  delicate ;  and  while  Gen.  Arnold  was  in  command 
''  at  West  Point,  he  frequently  sent  her  to  diiferent,  some- 
<'  times  distant  parts  of  the  country,  on  that  side  of  the 
"  river.  He  always  sent  a  guard  with  her,  besides  her 
"  female  attendant,  and  gave  me  very  particular  charge 
"  over  her  welfare.     He   spoke   of  her  suffering   in  the 


Ixi 

'  "  bustle  of  the  camp,  and  wished  her  to  be  relieved  from 
'  "  it  during  the  summer.  I  obeyed,  nothing  doubting,  but 
'  "  considering  him  a  pattern  for  a  husband,  although  other 
'  "  and  far  diifcrent  motives  for  sending  her  away  on  these 
'  "  excursions  afterwards  came  to  light.  But,  madam,  she 
'  "  knew  nothing  of  his  projects.  In  truth,  she  was  subject 
'  "  to  occasional  paroxysms  of  physical  indisposition,  at- 
'  "  tended  by  nervous  debility,  during  which  she  would  give 
'  "  utterance  to  anything  and  everything  on  her  mind.  This 
'  "  was  a  fact  well  known  amongs-t  us  of  the  General's 
'  "  family;  so  much  so  as  to  cause  us  to  be  scrupulous  of 
'  "  what  we  told  her  or  said  within  her  hearing.  General 
'  "  Arnold  was  guarded  and  impenetrable  towards  all  around 
'  "  lym,  and  I  should  believe  her  to  have  been  ignorant  of 
'  "  his  plans,  even  without  my  knowledge  of  this  peculiar 
'  "  feature  in  her  constitution ;  but  with  it,  such,  a  strong 
'  "  corroborative  proof,  I  am  most  solemnly  and  firmly  con- 
'  "  vineed  that  General  Arnold  never  confided  his  detestable 
'  "  scheme  to  her.  Jle  could  not  have  ventured  to  do  it. 
'  "  He  was,  moreover,  too  well  aware  of  her  warm  patriotic 
'  ^'■feelings.  You  knoio,  madam,  how  completely  she  was 
'  "  American  at  that  important  ^^eriod.  Madam,  I  can  aver 
'  "  solemnly,  she  was  totally  ignorant  of  his  schemes."  '* 

"  Here  we  have  evidence  above  suspicion,  not  only  of  her 
innocence,  but  of  her  patriotism. 

"  The  foUovping  facts  are  vouched  for  as  known  in  the 
family  at  the  time,  often  privately  repeated,  but  never  men- 
tioned beyond  its  most  intimate  circle  till  the  publication  of 
the  base  calumny  contained  in  the  memoirs  of  Aaron  Burr. 

"  Mrs.  Arnold  having  determined  to  go  to  her  father  in 

*  The  true  historical  view  has  been  taken  by  Mr.  Hubbell,  in  his 
tragedy  of  "  Arnold,"  a  poem  creditable  to  his  judgment  as  to 
events,  and  to  his  literary  taste. 


Ixii 

Philadelphia,  set  out  in  her  carriage  to  travel  there  by  easy 
stages.  On  her  way  she  stopped  to  spend  the  night  at  Mrs. 
Prevost's,  (an  old  acquaintance,)  afterwards  the  wife  of  Col. 
Burr,  and  at  that  time  on  terms  of  tender  friendship,  if  not 
indeed  engaged  to  him. 

"  This  fact  is  told  by  Burr's  biographer,  and  no  doubt,  after 
his  narration ;  but  he  does  not  say  that  Burr  himself  met 
her  at  Mrs.  Prevost's,  and  when  she  left  the  house  in  the 
morning,  offered  his  escort,  which  he  pretended  might  be 
useful  to  her  in  the  then  excited  state  of  the  public  mind  on 
the  subject  of  the  treason.  Still  less  does  he  tell,  what  his 
friend  would  not  have  ventured  to  repeat,  that  on  the  way 
he  made  love  to  this  afflicted  lady,  thinking  to  take  advan- 
tage of  her  just  feelings  of  indignation  towards  her  husband, 
to  help  him  in  his  infamous  design.  Yet  this  is  the  fact,  if 
our  tradition  be  true.  And  indignantly  repelled,  he  trea- 
sured up  his  revenge,  and  left  a  story  behind  him  worthy  of 
his  false  and  malignant  heart,  to  blast  this  amiable  lady's 
fame,  when  there  might  be  no  one  to  disprove  or  deny  it. 
After  telling  us  she  set  out  from  West  Point  to  join  her 
husband  in  New  Torh,  he  says,  that  on  arriving  at  Mrs. 
Prevost's,  (who  was  a  loyalist,)  she  there  threw  off  the  mask, 
admitted  she  had  been  playing  a  part  which  wearied  her, 
and  '  avowed  that  by  her  persuasions  and  unceasing  perse- 
'  verance,  she  had  herself  brought  the  General  into  an  ar- 
'  rangement  to  surrender  West  Point,'  &c.,  &c.  That  this 
statement  is  false,  utterly  false,  even  the  most  unfriendly 
writers  admit.  Known  facts  contradict  it.  Is  it  not  almost 
incredible  that  any  man  could  invent  such  a  calumny  with 
such  a  motive  ?  Yet  it  is  so.  One  who  was  second  in  the 
nation,  and  had  almost  reached  its  highest  honor,  was 
capable  of  this  baseness :  and  his  name  might  well,  for  this 


Ixiii 

and  other  acts,  be  handed  down  to  perpetual  infamy,  deserved 
as  well  as  by  the  traitor  Arnold. 

"  On  Mrs.  Arnold's  arrival  in  Philadelphia  she  decided  on 
a  separation  from  her  husband.  She  could  not  endure  the 
thought  of  a  return  to  one  whom  she  could  no  longer  honor; 
but  this  course  was  not  permitted  to  her.  After  a  short 
residence  with  her  family,  whose  affectionate  attentions  were 
beginnino;  to  soothe  her  troubled  heart,  she  received  a  new 

DO  / 

shock  in  the  peremptory  order  of  the  Executive  Council  to 
leave  the  State.     The  following  is  a  copy  from  the  minutes. 

'  In  Council, 
'  PMladelpMa,  Friday,  October  21th,  1780. 

*  The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  case  of  Mrs. 
'  Margaret  Arnold,  (the  wife  of  Benedict  Arnold,  an  at- 
'  tainted  traitor  with  the  enemy  at  New  York,)  whose  resi- 
'  dence  in  this  city  has  become  dangerous  to  the  public 
'  safety ;  and  this  board  being  desirous,  as  much  as  possible, 

*  to  prevent  any  correspondence  and  intercourse  being  carried 
'  on  with  persons  of  disaffected  character  in  this  State  and 
'  the  enemy  at  New  York,  and  especially  with  the  said  Bene- 

*  diet  Arnold;  therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  said  Margaret 

*  Arnold  depart  this  State  within  fourteen  days  from  the 
'  date  hereof,  and  that  she  do  not  return  again  during  the 
'  continuance  of  the  present  war.' 

"  Her  father,  her  friends,  ail  sought  a  reversal  of  this 
decree  of  exile.  Her  wish  for  a  separation  was  represented ; 
her  word  pledged  to  hold  no  correspondence  with  her  hus- 
band ;  every  assurance  and  security  offered  on  the  part  of 
her  father,  that  no  communication  should  be  held  with  him 
but  what  should  pass  open  through  the  hands  of  the  gov- 
ernment; but  entreaties  were  in  vain.  Private  enmity  or 
hidden  influence  was  at  work,  and  this  urgent  request  was 


L\iv 

denied.  Pcrliaps  the  baffled  seducei',  by  secret  representa- 
tions, may  Lave  thus  contrived  to  drive  away  the  witness  of 
his  villainy;  or  it  may  be  that  the  occasion  was  seized  by 
some  enemy  in  power  to  gratify  an  old  grudge  against  the 
members  of  a  family  suspected  of  '  Incivism/  and  hated  for 
their  aristocratical  pretensions.  Or,  the  impulse  may  have 
come  from  without ;  from  some  revolutionary  society,  or  the 
Committee  of  Public  Safety,  too  much  resembling  a  similar 
institution  in  the  times  of  French  democracy,  potent  for 
evil,  but  not  always  for  good,  now  exciting  popular  fury, 
and  again  driven  by  the  fiend  it  had  raised.* 

"  If  we  had  all  the  history  of  the  times,  it  might  perhaps 
be  found,  that  like  the  excitements  about  the  emigres  and 
their  friends,  raised  from  time  to  time  to  effect  some  local 
object^  or  legislative  vote  in  Paris,  our  politicians  could  get 
up  an  outcry  against  the  tories  and  the  Quakers,  when  such 

*  Since  the  above  was  in  type  the  following  letter  has  been  sent 
to  me,  which  more  than  confirms  the  statements  above  made. 

MAJOR  EDWAKD  BURD  TO  HIS  FATHER,   COL.  JAMES  BURD. 

^Lancaster,  Nov.  10th,  1780. 

'You  have  doubtless  heard  of  the  unfortunate  affair  of  Mrs. 
'  Arnold.  We  tried  every  means  to  prevail  on  the  Council  to  permit 
♦  her  to  stay  among  us,  and  not  to  [compel  her]  to  go  to  that  infer- 
'  nal  villain,  her  husband,  in  New  York.  The  Council  seemed  for  a 
'  considerable  time  to  favor  om*  request,  but  at  length  have  ordered 
'  her  away.  Yestei-day  was  the  day  she  was  to  have  set  off,  and 
'  Mr.  Shippen,  intending  to  accompany  her  the  greatest  part  of  the 
'  way,  could  not  be  up  at  this  Court. 

'  This  circumstance  has  involved  the  whole  family  in  the  deepest 
'  distress.  Mr.  Shippen  had  promised  the  Council,  ayul  3Irs.  Arnold 
'  had  siyned  a  wrUimj  to  the  same  2nirpose,  engaging  not  to  write  to 
'  Gen.  Arnold  any  letters  whatever,  and  to  receive  no  letters  without 
'  showing  them  to  the  Council,  if  she  was  permitted  to  stay. 

'  However,  this  did  not  answer  the  purpose  we  hoped  for.  If  she 
'  could  have  staid,  Mr.  Shippen  would  not  have  wished  her  ever  to 
•'  be  united  to  him  again.  It  makes  me  melancholy  every  time  I 
'  think  of  the  matter.  I  cannot  bear  the  idea  of  her  re-union.  The 
'  sacrifice  was  an  immense  one  at  her  being  married  to  him  at  all. 
'  It  is  mucli  more  so  to  be  obliged,  against  her  tvill,  to  go  to  the  arms 
'  of  a  man  who  appears  to  be  so  very  black.' 


Ixv 

a  warming  np  was  thought  salutary ;  that  even  a  mob  could 
be  brought  down  from  Byrne's  tavern,  headed  by  that  stal- 
wart landlord,  to  convince  a  jury  not  quite  ready  enough  to 
find  a  verdict  on  the  evidence  before  them.  But  whatever 
stories  of  the  kind  may  be  preserved  by  memory,  or  in  pri- 
vate diaries,  it  is  perhaps  well  to  suppress  them  for  the  rea- 
sons given  by  Charles  Thomson  for  destroying  his  papers. 

"  At  all  events,  this  amiable  lady,  though  true  to  honor 
and  her  country,  was  forced  to  leave  her  father's  house,  and 
urged  perhaps  by  the  advice  of  friends,  and  the  entreaties  of 
a  husband  once  dearly  loved,*  she  returned  to  him  and 
shared  his  fate  in  evil,  as  she  had  before  in  good  report. 

"In  after  life,  wherever  she  was  known  she  was  admired 
and  respected. f  Her  letters  to  her  family,  still  preserved, 
tend  to  prove  her  to  have  been  an  excellent  woman  in  every 
relation,  and  she  had  the  satisfaction  of  forming  the  charac- 
ters of  several  virtuous  and  honorable  children. 

"  She  deeply  felt  her  separation  from  her  native  land  and 
family^  and  lived  in  seclusion,  from  which  she  had  no  temp- 
tation to  go  into  society,  where  there  were  no  charms  nor 
honors  for  her.|     She  must,  indeed,  have  wished  her  name 

*  Miss  Margaret  Shippen  recollects  her  cousins  Burd  and  Lea 
speaking  several  times  to  lier  of  their  sister's  state  of  distress  and 
vacillation  at  this  period,  hardly  resolving  to  accompany  her  hus- 
band to  England,  though  wishing  to  be  persuaded  there  was  some 
palliation  of  his  guilt,  and  that  his  conduct  had  not  been  so  tho- 
roughly base  and  treacherous  as  it  was  generally  thought. 

f  Arnold,  generally  slighted,  and  sometimes  insulted,  though  in- 
dulged by  his  royal  master,  from  policy,  with  notice  and  honors, 
could  hardly  have  sustained  his  social  position,  but  for  the  charms 
and  virtues  of  his  wife,  which,  we  are  told,  procured  her  sympathy 
and  friendship  everywhere  but  among  her  countrymen. 

X  Five  years  after  her  departnre,  she  returned  to  sec  her  father 
and  family  ;  but  she  was  treated  with  so  much  coldness  and  neglect, 
even  by  those  who  had  most  encouraged  her  marriage,  that  her 
feelings  were  deeply  pained.     '  She  never  could  come  again.'     She 


Ixvi 

forgotten  by  all  but  those  who  loved  herj  though,  alas!  it 
"will  be  preserved  in  history  to  excite  a  momentary  pity 
for  her  undeserved  misfortunes;  unless,  indeed,  the  cruel 
calumny  which  I  have  noticed  and  disproved  should  be  per- 
petuated. Even  if  it  were  true  that  she  thought,  as  she 
might  have  done,  that  her  husband  was  a  persecuted  man, 
and  shared  a  revenge  which  she  supposed  just,  such  sympa- 
thy might  surely  have  beeu  pardoned.  The  revival  now  of 
such  tales  is,  it  must  be  admitted,  uncalled  for  and  unkind, 
and  it  is  to  be  hoped  they  will  never  be  repeated.*     At  any 

died  in  the  winter  of  1796,  at  an  early  age  for  one  of  a  long-lived 
race.  Her  sisters  would  have  brought  her  younger  children  to  this 
country ;  but  they  refused,  and  wisely.  Two  of  her  sons  reached 
high  military  rank;  her  daughter  Sophia  was  a  religious  and  exem- 
plary woman.  Her  letters  speak  of  General  Arnold's  uniform  kind- 
ness, but  plainly  show  that  "  her  heart  was  broken." 

*  The  following  extract  of  a  letter  addressed  to  Miss  Schuyler 
by  Alexander  Hamilton,  on  the  25th  September,  1780,  shows,  in 
part,  what  ruin,  in  addition  to  the  loss  of  his  own  fame,  the  treason 
of  Arnold  scattered  around  him : 

'  Ai-nold  hearing  of  the  plot  being  detected  immediately  fled  to 
'  the  enemy.  I  went  in  pursuit  of  him,  but  was  much  too  late,  and 
'  could  hardly  regret  the  disappointment  when,  on  my  return,  I  saw 
'  an  amiable  woman,  frantic  with  distress  for  the  loss  of  a  husband 
'  she  tenderly  loved — a  traitor  to  his  country  and  to  his  fame — a 
'  disgrace  to  his  connections.  It  was  the  most  affecting  scene  I  ever 
'  was  witness  to.     She,  for  a  considerable  time,  entirely  lost  herself. 

*  The  General  (Washington)  went  up  to  see  her,  and  she  upbraided 
'  him  with  being  in  a  plot  to  murder  her  child.  One  moment  she 
'  raved,  another  she  melted  into  tears.  Sometimes  she  pressed  her 
'  infant  to  her  bosom,  and  lamented  its  fate,  occasioned  by  the  im- 
'  prudence  of  its  father,  in  a  manner  that  would  have  pierced  insen- 
'  sibility  itself.  All  the  sweetness  of  beauty,  all  the  loveliness  of 
'  innocence,  all  the  tenderness  of  a  wife,  and  all  the  fondness  of  a 

*  mother,  showed  themselves  in  her  appearance  and  conduct.  AVe 
'  have  every  reason  to  believe  that  she  was  entirely  unacquainted 
'  with  the  plan ;  that  the  first  knowledge  of  it  was  when  Arnold  went 
'  to  tell  her  he  must  banish  himself  from  his  country  and  from  her 
'  forever.  She  instantly  fell  into  a  convulsion,  and  he  left  her  in 
'  that  situation.  This  morning  she  is  moi'e  composed.  I  paid  her 
'  a  visit,  and  endeavored  to  soothe  her  by  every  method  in  my 

*  power,  though  you  may  imagine  she  is  not  easily  to  be  consoled. 
'  Added  to  her  other  distresses,  she  is  very  apprehensive  the  resent- 
'  ment  of  her  country  will  fall  upon  her  (who  is  only  unfortunate) 


Ixvii 

rate,  a  controversy  on  such  a  subject  is  deprecated,  and  a 
public  refutation  is  not  to  be  thought  of. 

"  The  above  is  written  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  numerous 
members  of  a  family,  who  will  all  feel  an  interest  in  relieving 
the  character  of  a  beautiful*  and  amiable  woman  of  their  race 
from  the  charge  of  participation  in  or  approval  of  an  odious 
treason.  They  will  be  disposed  to  believe  the  story  as 
handed  down  from  her  nearest  relations,  and  contemporary 
friends.  Further  proofs  wil^  not  be  called  for,  and  would 
not,  perhaps,  be  forthcoming.  There  is,  it  is  supposed,  no 
documentary  evidence,  for  all  the  papers  of  Mrs.  Arnold 
were  seized  by  the  republican  authorities,  and  if  they  still 
exist,  are  not  accessible  to  those  who  would  wish  to  vindi- 
cate her." 


Joseph  Shippen,  the  second  son  of  Edward  Shippen,  of 
Lancaster,  was  b.  Oct.  30,  1732,  was  gradixated  at  Nassau 
Hall  1753,  entered  the  Provincial  army,  in  which  he  rose 
to  the  rank  of  Colonel,  and  served  in  General  Forbes'  expe- 
dition, which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Fort  Du  Quesne. 
After  the  troops  were  disbanded  he  went  to  Europe,  partly 
on  a  mercantile  adventure,  but  as  it  appears  from  the  let- 
ters, (p.  185,  &e.)  chiefly  for  the  advantages  to  be  derived 
from  foreign  travel.  He  returned  to  Philadelphia  some- 
where in  December,  17G1,  and  was  shortly  afterwards  (Gor- 
don says  January  2,  1762,)  appointed  Secretary  to  the  Pro- 

'  for  the  guilt  of  her  husband.  I  have  tried  to  persuade  her  that 
'  her  fears  are  unfounded ;  but  she  will  not  be  convinced.  She  re- 
'  ccived  us  in  bed,  with  every  circumstance  that  interests  our  sy:u- 
'pathy;  and  her  sufferings  were  so  eloquent  that  I  wished  myself 
'  her  brother,  to  have  a  right  to  become  her  defender.' — See  Life  and 
Wrilings,  I,  p.  268,  275,  270. 

*  Her  portrait,  by  Sir  Thomas  Lawrence,  now  in  the  possession 
of  the  Misses  Mcllvaiue,  shows  her  to  have  been  a  remarkably  beau- 
tiful w^omau. 


Ixviii 

vince,  in  which  office  he  succeeded  the  Kev.  Richard  Peters. 
About  1773  he  removed  to  the  country,  near  Kennctt 
Square,  in  Chester  county,  a  step  which  he  was  induced  to 
take  by  reason  of  the  expenses  incident  to  a  large  family, 
and  his  own  state  of  health,  being,  at  that  time,  and  for 
some  years,  quite  infirm.*  The  latter  I  take  to  have  been 
the  true  reason  for  his  not  serving  in  the  Revolutionary  army. 
Thence  he  removed  to  a  place  which  he  purchased  in 
Chester  county,  and  which,  in  honor  of  his  mother,  he 
called  Plumley.  He  was  appointed  Judge  of  Lancaster 
Court  in  1789,  and  d.  Feb.  10th,  1810,  having  served  his 
country,  and  filled  with  honor  many  reputable  stations; 
esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him  as  an  eminently  just  and 
upright  man.  No  words  are  too  strong  to  describe  the  ten- 
der and  affectionate  character  of  his  relations  with  his 
family.  I  have  before  me  a  letter,  written  by  his  wife 
during  her  last  illness,  addressed  to  her  husband,  with  direc- 
tions '  to  be  opened  after  my  death.'  Amongst  other 
things,  she  makes  a  request  that  he  would  give  a  sum  of 
money,  not  large,  to  a  female  friend  of  hers  in  needy  cir- 
cumstances, in  such  a  manner  as  to  prevent  any  suspicion  of 
the  source  from  which  it  came  ;f  but  the  language  in  which 

*    EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  JAMES  BCRD,  AT  TINIAN. 

'■Lancaster,  March  9th,  1777. 

'Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — I  received  a  letter  yesterday  for  Col.  Ship- 
'  pen,  who  was  just  returned  from  Philadelphia,  having  got  better 
'  by  Doctor  Shippen's  assistance.     One  thing  in  particular  helped 
'  him,  which  was  taking  9  ounces  of  blood  from  him.     *     *     *     » 
'  I  am,  dear  Mr.  Burd,  your  affectionate,  loving  father, 

'EDWARD  SHIPPEN.' 

In  another  letter,  shortly  prior  in  date  to  this,  one  of  his  children 
says — 'But  I  will  not  ask  you  to  write,  as  I  know  your  right  arm 
♦trembles  so  much.' 

f  I  ought  perhaps  to  add,  that  not  only  was  this  request  faith- 
fully complied  with,  but  that  the  pains  taken  by  Col.  Shippen  and 
one  of  his  sons,  to  have  the  bounty  reach  its  object  in  the  way  de- 
sired by  the  donor,  are  the  best  of  testimonials  to  the  affectionate 
regard  which  was  had  for  the  wishes  of  the  wife  and  mother. 


Ixix 

the  letter  is  couched,  could  have  proceeded  only  from  a 
heart,  in  which  early  love  had  been  strengthened  and  ripened 
into  conjugal  devotion  by  long  years  of  well-deserved  confi- 
dence. 

It  was  the  same  as  to  his  children.  A  letter  from  his 
daughter  Mary,  concerning  her  proposed  household  arrange- 
ments after  marriage,  then  about  to  take  place,  proves  that 
no  detail,  which  concerned  the  welfare  of  his  child,  was 
without  interest  to  his  parental  bosom. 

On  Col.  Shippen's  public  career  it  is  unnecessary  further 
to  dwell.  To  his  service  as  a  soldier,  he  added  the  accom- 
plishments of  a  scholar  and  of  a  man  of  taste  3*  and  was  not 

*  'London,  Sept.  Ist,  1763. 
'Dear  Sir: — Your  very  kind  favor  of  the  11th  October  last, 

*  reached  me  in  the  month  of  January  following,  just  on  my  arrival 
'  at  Rome,  after  having  been  a  whole  year  longer  away  from  thence 
'  than  I  ever  at  first  thought  of.     After  having  wrote  you  my  letter 

*  of  the  10th  May  from  Florence,  by  which  I  see  you  were  informed 
'  of  the  deplorable  situation  I  was  in  for  the  first  five  months  of  that 
'  year,  I  went  very  slowly  picking  up  ;  but,  as  you  may  easily  sup- 
'  pose,  my  strength  and  spirits  were  so  much  reduced,  by  the  long, 
'  close  confinement  to  my  bed,  the  strict  diet  I  was  obliged  to  keep, 
'  and  especially  the  cruel  incisions  the  surgeon  had  made  on  my 

*  ancle,  I  still  found  myself  unable  to  apply  closely  to  my  work  for 
'  a  long  time,  notwithstanding  all  the  inclination  and  longing 
'  I  had  to  do  so.     Every  time  I  set  down  to  the  slightest  studies, 

*  though  but  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  there  came  a  giddiness  and 

*  feverishness  upon  me  that  forced  me  to  leave  off.     My  first  appli- 

*  cation  was  to  serve  my  worthy  and  honored  patrons  in  the  copies 
'  they  desired,  as  far  as  lay  in  my  power ;  and  as,  just  at  that  time, 
'  Lord  Fordwich  had  ordered  up  from  Leghorn  to  Florence  the  pic- 
'  ture  that  Mr.  Mings  had  painted  for  him,  of  a  Holy  Family,  and 
'  was  so  obliging  as  to  give  me  leave  to  copy  it.  I  thought  myself 
'  happy  in  having  such  an  opportunity  of  studying  upon  my  favorite 
'  master,  since  he  was  gone  from  Rome,  and  the  season  of  the  year 
'  was  not  proper  for  me  to  go  thither  to  seek  for  other  studies.  I 
'  concluded  also  that  nothing  could  be  more  agreeable  to  you  and 
'  my  other  friends  than  the  copy  of  so  capital  a  piece.     The  agree- 

*  ableness  of  the  climate  of  Florence,  the  extraordinary  kindnesses 
'  of  Sir  Horace  Mann,  which  I  shall  always  have  a  most  grateful 
'  remembrance  of,  especially  for  that  shown  me  in  my  illness,  and 

*  the  honorable  notice  taken  of  me  by  all  the  English  nobility  and 


destitute  of  some  talent  in  versification.  The  following 
lines,  said  to  have  been  of  his  composition,  are  here  printed^ 

*  gentry  that  were  there,  as  well  as  by  many  of  the  Florentine  no- 
'  blemen,  were  great  engagements  to  me  to  stay,  so  that,  with  all 
'  these  advantages,  I  got  through  the  copy  (notwithstanding  the 
'  great  weakness  that  still  hung  upon  me)  in  about  two  months,  after 
'  having  been  obliged  to  make  my  excuses  for  not  serving  the  Duke 

*  of  Grafton,  and  several  others,  whom,  even  by  Sir  Horace's  advice, 
'  I  was  obliged  to  refuse,  because  of  my  weak  constitution,  which 
'  absolutely  forbad  my  undertaking  much  fatigue.  Indeed,  nothing 
'  but  such  a  study  after  Mings  could  have  made  me  go  through  with 
'  so  large  a  copy,  and  in  so  short  a  time,  and  I  thought  it  a  happy 
'  instance  of  my  cure,  that  after  so  much  labor  I  was  not  again  laid 
'  u]5  with  a  fresh  fit  of  my  usual  violent  pains.  As  you  and  the  gen- 
'  tlemen  were  pleased  to  give  me  such  liberty  to  suit  my  own  taste 
'  and  turn,  I  saw  nothing  else  at  Florence  so  suitable  for  me  to  copy 
'  as  the  Venus  by  Titian,  and  a  celebrated  picture  of  Hannibal 
'  Caracci,  in  the  Prince  Corsini's  palace,  of  Venus  lamenting  over 
'  the  dead  body  of  Adonis.  In  a  reasonable  time  I  got  this  picture 
'  done,  and  sat  about  the  Titian,  when,  just  as  it  was  dead  colored 

*  in,  the  fire  broke  out  in  the  gallery,  and  put  evei-ything  there  in 
'  confusion,  and  stopped  the  work  of  copying  there,  upon  that  pic- 
'  ture,  for  some  time.  If  it  had  been  in  the  winter  season,  I  should, 
'  immediately  upon  this,  have  proceeded  to  Piome,  and  pursued  my 

*  studies  there,  not  to  lose  time ;  but  as  there  were  still  two  months 

*  before  it  was  reckoned  safe  for  me  to  go  that  way,  and  as  I  had 
'  a  vei'y  favorable  opportunity  of  passing  that  interval  in  a  journey  to 

*  Bologna,  Parma  and  Venice,  I  resolved  to  embrace  it,  considering 
'  those  places,  for  different  merits,  as  much  the  object  of  a  student's 
'  attention  as  even  Rome  itself,  in  a  certain  degree.     I  also  consi- 

*  dered,  that  while  I  was  thus  not  losing  my  time,  I  should  be  im- 
'  proving  my  health,  which  all  my  fi-iends  were  of  oj^inion  required 

*  such  exercise  and  change  of  air,  after  so  long  and  cruel  confine- 
'  ment,  and  such  close  application  as  I  had  given  the  whole  summer. 
'  Perhaps  you  will  have  heard  already  from  the  worthy  gentlemen, 
'at  Leghorn,  that  Mr.  Matthews,  having  left  their  service  some 
'  months  before,  and  coming  to  Florence,  accompanied  me  in  this 

*  tour,  after  having  consulted  those  gentlemen,  who  were  pleased 

*  not  to  disapprove  of  it,  but  on  the  contrary  favored  us  both  with 
'  the  kindest  and  most  honorable  letters  of  recommendations  for  all 
'  the  places  where  we  were  to  go  in.  The  particular  kindness  of 
'  Mr.  Murray,  at  Venice,  made  my  stay  there  much  longer  than  I 
'  ever  imagined,  for  which  I  am  in  great  measure  obliged  to  you, 
'  good  sir,  and  Mr.  Allen,  by  your  speaking  so  advantageously  of  me 
'  when  you  were  there.  The  little  enjoyment  I  have  had  of  my 
'  health,  you  are  sensible,  must  naturally  have  taken  off  much  of  my 
'  pleasure  for  a  longer  stay,  and  especially  the  dread  of  being  laid 
'  up  at  every  return  of  the  summer,  if  I  persisted  to  stay  at  Rome, 


not  as  an  effort  of  poetical  genius,  but  because  they  per- 
petuate the  names  of  the  belles  of  his  day  : 

'  where  only  my  studies  required  me  to  stay,  since  I  attribute  my 
'having  (thank  God)  been  so  well  of  late,  moi-e  to  the  exercise  I 
'  have  had  in  travelling  about,  than  to  any  amendment  in  my  con- 
'  stitution.  On  my  return  from  Venice  to  Florence,  I  had  but  just 
'  time  to  iinish  my  copy  of  Titian's  Venus.  I  hastened  to  Kome  to 
'  make  as  much  as  possible  of  the  short  time  that  remained  for  me 
'  there,  and  thought  myself  happy  in  getting  done  a  copy  of  Guido's 
'  finest  Herodias  in  Cardinal  Corsini's  palace,  and  another  picture 
'  -which  I  composed  as  a  study  of  my  own.  Just  after  I  had  got 
'  over  these  two  pieces,  Mr.  Patoune,  a  gentleman,  a  particular 
'  friend  of  Mr.  Crispin's,  was  pleased  to  offer  me  his  company  to 
'  England.  I  therefore  could  not  but  embrace  it,  particularly  with 
'  Ml-.  Crispin's  advice,  and  be  thankful  to  Providence  that  had 
'  thrown  such  a  lucky  offer  in  my  way,  and  thus,  thank  God,  I  am 
'  at  last  safe  arrived  at  the  mother  country,  which  we  Americans  are 
'  all  so  desirous  to  see,  and  which  I  could  not  but  desire  as  much, 
'  or  more,  than  Italy  itself.  After  leaving  Rome  I  went  to  Leghorn 
'  for  a  few  days,  as  well  to  pay  my  last  personal  respects  to  the 
'  worthy  gentlemen  there,  (whose  favors  and  friendship  I  shall 
'  always  gratefully  remember,  as  well  as  the  good  Mr.  Crispin's,)  as 
'  to  see  about  the  dispatch  of  the  pictures  I  had  got  ready  for  Ame- 
'  rica,  and  luckily  there  then  offered  a  New  England  schooner,  that 
'  loaded  all  the  copies  already  mentioned,  as  the  gentlemen  will  have 
'  informed  you,  except  the  Herodias,  which  unhappily  did  not  reach 
'  Leghorn  in  time,  and  now  lay  there  for  another  opportunity.  I 
'  hope  they  will  all  arrive  safe,  and  give  satisfaction  to  my  worthy 
'patrons,  as  have  been  my  endeavors,  and  as  I  am  in  duty  bound  to 
'  do.  If  I  have  not  been  able  to  serve  them  with  more  copies,  I 
'  hope,  from  your  and  their  generous  sentiments,  it  will  be  consi- 
'  dered  how  much  my  studies  in  Italy  have  been  interrupted  by  my 
'  infirmities,  from  the  very  first.  I  was  too  uneasy  and  too  uncer- 
'  tain  of  my  health  to  pretend  going  through  a  regular  course, 
'  (which,  by  the  way,  if  I  could  have  kept  on  at  Rome,  would  have 
'  engaged  me  to  apply  more  to  drawing  than  painting  of  copies,)  so 
'  that  I  have  been  glad  to  pick  in  any  way  as  much  improvement  as 
•  '  my  health  and  time  would  permit,  and  flatter  myself  I  shall  be 
'  allowed  to  have  acquired  as  much  as  any  other  in  my  circumstances 
'  could  have  done,  though  not  uear  so  much  as  I  could  wish.  I  am 
'  very  sensible  of  my  own  wants  in  regard  to  painting,  and  it  will  be 
'  the  labor  of  my  whole  lifetime  to  supply  them.  Your  useful  hints 
'  upon  this  subject  I  take  in  the  kindest  part;  and  for  the  friendly 
*  intentions  you  have,  I  value  them  as  much  as  if  they  came  from 
'  Mings  himself.  You  will  give  me  leave  always  to  consider  you, 
'  dear  sir,  and  Mr.  Jn,  Allen,  among  my  best  and  most  honored 
'friends,  as  well  as  his  worthy  father,  and  the  Governor;  and  it 


Ixxii 

Lines  written  in  an  Assembly  Room. 

'In  lovely  White's*  most  pleasing  form, 
What  various  graces  meet ! 
How  blest  with  every  striking  charm  ! 
How  languishingly  sweet ! 

'  will  always  be  my  study  to  deserve  the  continuance  and  benefit  of 

*  your  fi'iendship  and  good  will.     As  to  the  price  of  the  copies,  and 

*  the  manner  how  I  am  to  satisfy  those  gentlemen  for  the  generous 
'  assistance  I  have  had  in  money  from  them,  1  desire  before  all 
'  things  to  consider  what  is  suitable  and  agreeable  to  them.     They 

*  are  too  generous  not  to  make  all  the  allowance  that  my  circum- 
'  stances  may  deserve ;  and  as  to  myself,  I  had  much  rather  that 

*  some  friend  would  take  upon  him  to  settle  the  first  particular,  than 
'  pretend  to  rate  my  own  labors,  when  in  their  service  to  whom  I  am 
'  in  honor  and  gratitude  so  much  obliged ;  but  as  I  have  the  happi- 
'  ness  of  meeting  here  Mr.  Allen  himself,  the  principal  of  my 
<  patrons,  to  whom,  of  course,  I  shall  endeavor  to  give  satisfaction 
'  in  this  and  every  other  point,  it  is  the  less  necessary  for  me  now 
'  to  tire  you  with  a  longer  detail.  I  trust  wholly  in  your  good 
'  nature  for  an  excuse  for  my  not  answering  your  kind  letter  before  I 
'  left  Italy,  and  hope  you  will  ascribe  my  unpunctuality  rather  to 
'  my  being  so  hurried  and  unsettled  in  the  last  months  of  my  stay 
'  there,  than  to  any  forgetfulness  of  duty  and  obligation,  which  I  am 
'  constantly  sensible  of,  though  I  should  unfortunately  fail  of  giving 
'  you  such  proofs  of  them  as  you  may  strictly  expect.  It  was  the 
'  greatest  pleasure  to  me  to  hear  of  my  good  friend,  Mr.  John  Allen's, 
'  safe  return  home,  and  I  beg  you'd  make  my  heai'ty  compliments 
'  to  him  and  all  friends,  with  my  particular  respects  to  Governor 

'  Hamilton,  who  makes  me  proud  of  the  honor  he  has  done  my  first ' 
'  two  copies,  as  you  are  pleased  to  mention.     My  sincere  compli- 

*  ments  wait  no  less  on  all  your  worthy  family,  assuring  you  that  I 
'  am,  with  all  gratitude  and  esteem, 

'  Dear  sir,  your  most  obliged,  humble  servant, 

'BENJ'N  WEST. 

'  My  dear  sir,  I  have  one  favor  to  beg  of  you,  that  is,  on  the  arri- 
'  val  of  the  case  in  which  the  three  copies  are,  they  may  be  cai'e- 
'  fully  taken  out,  and  the  case  fastened  up  again,  as  it  is  full  of 
'  things  I  am  desirous  not  to  have  seen,  as  they  are  little  particulars 
'  belonging  to  painters.     I  hope  you  will  pardon  me  for  this  liberty. 

'  To  Joseph  Shippen,  Jr.,  Esq.,  in  Philadelphia.' 
*  Sister  of  Bishop  White. 


Ixxiii 

*  With  just  such  elegance  and  ease, 
Fair,  charming  Swift*  appears; 
Thus  Willing,f  whilst  she  awes,  can  please ; 
Thus  Polly  Franks  endears. 

'  A  female  softness,  manly  sense, 
And  conduct  free  from  art, 
With  every  pleasing  excellence, 
In  Inglis|  charm  the  heart. 

^  But  see !  another  fair  advance, 
With  love  commanding  all ; 
See  !  happy  in  the  sprightly  dance, 
Sweet,  smiling,  fair  M' Call. J 

'Each  blessing  which  indulgent  Heaven 
On  mortals  can  bestow. 
To  thee,  enchanting  maid,  is  given, 
Its  masterpiece  below. 

'In  Sally  Coxe's§  form  and  face, 
True  index  of  her  mind. 
The  most  exact  of  human  race 
Not  one  defect  can  find. 

'  Thy  beauty  every  breast  alarms. 
And  many  a  swain  can  prove 
That  he  who  views  your  conquering  charms, 
Must  soon  submit  to  love. 

*  Ellinor  White  Swift,  eldest  daughter  of  Mr.  Joseph  Swift, 
f  Most  probably  Miss  Abby  Willing. 

1  Miss  Katharine  Inglis  and  Miss  Margaret  M'Call,  dau.  of  Sam- 
uel M'Call  and  Ann  Searle,  (post,  Ixxxviii  )  They  lived  together 
about  fifty  years,  the  greater  portion  of  the  time  in  Pine  street, 
(No.  91,)  opposite  St  Peter's  church. 

2  Mrs.  Andrew  Allen. 

4 


Ixxiv 

'  With  either  Chew*  such  beauties  dwell, 
Such  charms  by  each  are  shared, 
No  critic's  judging  eye  can  tell 
Which  merits  most  regard. 

'  'Tis  far  beyond  the  painter's  skill 
To  set  their  charms  to  view ; 
As  far  beyond  the  poet's  quill 
To  give  the  i)raise  that's  due.' 

Some  mention  of  two  of  Col.  Shippen's  brother  officers 
will,  perhaps,  tend  to  a  better  understanding  of  the  follow- 
ing letters.  Lt.  Col.  Lloyd  was  of  a  family  which  partici- 
pated largely  in  the  management  of  the  early  affairs  of  the 
Province.  He  was  lost  at  sea,  on  his  way  from  Boston  to 
Charleston,  somewhere  about  1770. 

Dr.  John  Morgan  was  the  son  of  a  respectable  Welsh 
gentleman,  who  settled  here  at  an  early  day.  He  studied 
medicine  with  Dr.  Redman,  and  was  Apothecary  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Hospital,  an  office  which  he  held  for  about  a 
year,  and  relinquished  for  the  purpose  of  going  on  Forbes' 
expedition^  in  which  he  held  a  Lieutenant's  commission,  but 
acted  chiefly  as  Surgeon,  and,  as  appears  by  Col.  Burd's 
report  to  the  Governor,  did  '  his  duty  very  well.'  On  his 
return,  he  became  the  coadjutor  of  Dr.  Shippen  in  founding 
a  Medical  School  in  Philadelphia;  a  project  which  had 
been,  in  fact,  a  long-cherished  idea  of  his  own,  and  which 
had  chiefly  induced  him  to  visit  Europe,  to  pursue  his  medi- 
cal studies.f     His  thesis,  delivered  on  obtaining  his  degree, 

*  Eldest  daughters  of  Benj.  Chew,  Esq.  One  became  Mrs.  Phil- 
lips, the  other  Mrs.  Carroll. 

•j-  Dr.  Morgan's  letters,  &c.,  now  in  Dr.  G.  W.  Norris'  possession. 


Ixxv 

was  printed  at  Edinburgli  in  1763 ;  and  is  esteemed  by  liigli 
professional  authority,  an  excellent  and  able  production. 
After  this  he  traveled  in  Europe  for  two  years  or  more,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  Royal  Society  in  17G5.*  He  returned 
to  Philadelphia,  and  his  subsequent  career  is  well  known. "]■ 


Joseph  Shippen,  above  mentioned,  m.  Sept.  29,  1768, 
Jane,  dau.  of  John  and  Jane  Galloway,  of  Anne  Arundel 
county,  Maryland. I     He  d.  at  Lancaster,  Feb.  10,  1810. 

*  Mr.  Sam.  Powel's  diary  Las  tlie  following  entry: — '17G5,  Dec, 
'  paid  for  yr.  admission  fee  to  the  Royal  Society,  £i21.' 

■f  Col.  Shippen  also  took  an  interest  in  scientific  pursuits.  17G8, 
Jan.  19,  he  joined  the  Am.  Philos.  Soc. 

J  Dr.  Caspar  Morris,  of  this  city,  has  kindly  favored  me  v.ith  the 
following  note  concerning  Mrs.  Shippen's  family  : 

'The  Mr.  Galloway  mentioned  in  Mr.  Shippen's  letter  (post,  p. 
'  309,)  was  Mr.  Joseph  Galloway,  brother  of  Miss  Jenny  Galloway, 
'  afterward  Mrs.  Shippen.  His  son  John  died  of  consumption. 
'  jNIrs.  Linn  died  at  Cumberland,  Maryland,  within  a  year  or  two, 
'  leaving  several  sons  and  daughters,  a  good  estate  and  honorable 
'  reputation. 

'  Mr.  Samuel  Galloway  was  the  head  of  the  family,  and  lived  at 
'  Tulip  Hill.  He  had  one  son  and  two  daughters.  The'sou  was  Mr. 
'  John  Galloway,  "who  inherited  the  Tulip  Hill  estate,  and  left  it  to 
'  his  only  child,  a  daughter,  who  married  Virgil  Maxcy,  Solicitor  of 

*  U.  S.  Treasury,  and  subsequently  j\Hnister  to  Brussels.  He  was 
'  killed  by  the  explosion  of  Com.  Stockton's  great  gun  on  board  the 
'Princeton.  He  left  two  daughters ;  one  married  to  Francis  ISIar- 
'  koe,  of  Washington  City,  and  the  other  to  Colonel  G.  W.  Hughes, 
'  of  the  Topographical  Engineer  corps.  The  latter  is  the  possessor 
'  of  the  Tulip  Hill  estate,  having  on  it  one  of  the  finest  old  mansions 

*  in  the  State  of  ]\Iaryland.  One  of  the  daughters  of  Mr.  Samuel 
'  Galloway  married  Mr.  Ringgold,  and  her  son  married  Miss  Cad- 

■  '  walader,  of  this  city,  and  was  the  father  of  Commander  Ringgold, 
'  of  the  U.  S.  Navy,  and  Major  Ringgold,  who  fell  in  the  Mexican 
'  war.     The  other  daughter  was  the  Mrs.  Cheston  mentioned  so  hon- 

*  orably  by  Mr.  S.  She  was  the  grandmother  of  Mrs.  Morris,  and 
'  was  a  woman  of  extraordinary  worth  and  loveliness.     The  farm  is 

*  now  in  my  possession,  and  still  maintains  the  same  character  given 
'  it  by  Mr.  Shippen.  The  oysters  of  the  old  lady  were  famous 
'  indeed.  Her  son  was  a  man  of  whom  it  might  be  said,  if  of  any, 
'that  he  possessed  the  "Virtus  intacta,  nescia  sordida,  intaminatis 

*  fulget  honoribus,"  which  Horace  considers  the  highest  glory  of 
'  man.     The  name  of  Galloway  is  now  extinct,  except  as  it  is  borne 


Ixxvi 

She  was  b.  Sept.  1745,  and  d.  at  Plumley,  Chester  county, 
Penna.,  Feb.  17,  1801.     They  had  issue,* 
1.  Robert,  b.  July  10,  1769;  d.  Dee.  31,  1840;  m.  Pris- 
cilla   Thompson,    and   had,    (with  Beale   Bordley, 
Jenny,  Joseph  and  Anna,  d.  unm.,') 

Mary,  m.  to  James  Maxwell,  have  issue, 
Robert, 
Park. 
Sarah,  m.  to  Robert  Patterson. 
Hannah,  m.  to  William  Ewing. 
John,  m.  his  cousin,  Margaret  Swift,  and  have 
issue, 
Elizabeth, 
Samuel  Swift, 
Edwin  J. 
Charles,  m.  Martha  Eddowes,  have  issue, 
Priscilla,  m.  Rev.  C.  A.  Staples. 
Robert, 
Ellen, 

Mary,  m.  C.  Cullum. 
Margaret,  m.  Rev.  N.  A.  Staples. 
Richard,  m.  Magdalena  Black,  have  issue, 
Harriet,  m.  E.  P.  Hastings. 
William, 

'  by  Mr.  Galloway  Cheston,  and  my  son  Galloway  C.  Morris,  and 
'  Dr.   Joseph  G.   Shippen,  of  Pottsville.     Mr.  Benjamin  Galloway 

♦  was  another  son  of  Mr.  Samuel  Galloway.  He  was  educated  at 
»  Eton  College,  and  read  law  at  Lincoln's  Inn.     He  returned  home 

*  and  married  a  Miss  Chew,  and  settled  at  Hagerstown,  and  died 
'  childless.'  I  may  also  add,  that  the  Galloways  settled  in  Maryland 
prior  to  the  year  1640;  and  that  Joseph  Galloway,  the  well-known 
Loyalist,  was  a  cousin  of  Mrs.  Shippen. 

*  Her  portrait,  by  Benjamin  West,  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr. 
John  Shippen,  of  Pottsville.  His  portrait  is  in  the  possession  of  his 
eon,  Dr.  J.  G.  Shippen,  of  Pottsville. 


Ixxvii 

Mary  Ann, 

Robert, 

Margaret. 
Elizabeth, 
Thompson, 
Margaret,  m.  to  J.  Black,  have  issue, 

BORDLEY, 

Wm.  H.  H., 
Jane. 

2.  John,  b.  Oct.  31, 1771 ;  m.  Abigail  Reynolds.    They  d. 

leaving  one  son, 

Edward  Burd  Yeates  Shippen,  d.  at  Hagers- 
town,  Maryland,  aged  19. 

3.  Mary,  m.  to  Samuel  Swift.     Of  her,  more  hereafter. 

4.  Margaret. 

5.  Joseph  Galloway,  M.  D.,  b.  Dec.  25,  1783;  m.  Anna 

Maria  Buckley,  dau.  of  Daniel  Buckley,  of  Lancaster 
county,  Penna.     They  have, 
Harriet  Amelia, 
Joseph,  M.  D. 

Edward,  of  Philadelphia,  m.  Augusta  Chauncey, 
dau.  of  Major  Levi*  and  Priscilla  Decatur 
TwiggSjf  and  have  issue, 

Elizabeth  Bordley  Twiggs, 
Sarah  Burd, 

Frances  Stockton,  d.  1853. 
Anna  Maria,  m.  to  William  Newell,  of  Schuyl- 
kill county,  Penna.,  have  issue, 
William  Harmar. 

*  Major  Levi  Twiggs,  U.  S.  Marine  Corps,  killed  at  the  storming 
of  Cbapultepec,  Mexico,  1847. 

f  A  niece  of  Com.  Stephen  Decatur. 


Ixxviii 

6.  Henry,  b.  Dec.  28,  1788;  d.  Marcli  2, 1839;  m.  Eliza- 
beth Wallace  Evans.  Judge  Henry  Shippen,  President 
of  the  Sixth  Judicial  District,  was  educated  for  the  bar, 
and  was  in  very  successful  practice  at  Lancaster,  when 
the  war  of  1812  interrupted  his  forensic  career  by 
rousing  him  to  his  country's  defence.*     During  the 


*  The  following  letter,  thougli  of  more  recent  date  than  any  else- 
where printed  in  this  volume,  will  not,  I  am  sure,  be  without 
interest : 

JUDGE  HENEY  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  SISTER,  3IES.   SWIFT. 

'Lancaster,  October  2od,  1812. 

'  Dear  Sister  : — It  was  my  intention  to  have  gratified  myself  with 
'  a  visit  to  my  dear  brother  and  sister  this  week,  but  having  been 
'  pressed  to  act  as  one  of  the  judges  at  the  late  election,  I  agreed  to 
'  do  so,  not  knowing  at  that  time  that  it  would  oblige  me  to  attend 
'  also  at  the  Presidential  Election,  on  the  30th  inst.  Court  sits  here 
'  so  soon  after,  that  I  must  postpone  my  pleasure  till  some  time  in 
'  December. 

'  Your  letters  have  evinced  so  much  anxiety  about  my  being 

*  ordered  to  march  against  our  enemies,  that  I  could  not  avoid  being 

*  sensibly  affected  by  them,  although  I  have  too  long  neglected  an- 
'  swering  them,  owing  to  a  multiplicity  of  matters,  that  have  of  late 
'  occupied  me.  I  have  no  expectation  of  receiving  orders  till  next 
'  spring,  and  even  then  it  is  quite  uncertain.  If  it  should  turn  out 
'  otherwise,  I  shall  go  readily,  and  try  to  see  all  my  friends  before 
'  leaving  this  on  an  expedition. 

'  I  have  heard  from  brother  of  your  trips  to  Pottsgrove,  German- 

*  town,  Ormiston,  &c.,  of  which  you  have  said  nothing;  neither  does 
'  brother  mention  anything  about  his  prospects  and  success  in  busi- 
'  ness.  I  always  knew  there  was  nothing  selfish  in  either  of  your 
'  dispositions  ;  but  I  should  always  be  very  glad  to  hear  more  about 

*  yourselves. 

'  I  cannot  help  frequently  casting  a  retrospective  eye  on  former 
« times,  recollecting  with  pleasure  the  days  of  my  youth  or  child- 
'  hood,  which  I  spent  in  the  country,  surrounded  by  my  friends,  in 
'  peace  and  innocence,  tranquillity  and  happiness.  How  little  did 
'  I  then  know  of  the  world,  its  vices  and  vicissitudes !  When  read- 
'  ing  the  history  of  Rome  and  the  villanies  of  her  tyrants,  I  ima- 
'  gined  it  was  the  tale  of  other  times,  now  gone  and  past  forever,  the 
'  likeness  of  which  was  no  more  known.  AVhen  reading  the  sudden 
'  reverses  of  fortune  in  a  novel  or  play,  I  conceived  it  to  be  merely 
'  the  illusions  of  fancy,  far  beyond  anything  in  real  life.  How  mis- 
'  taken  the  ideas  and  notions  of  my  childhood  !  I  now  often,  alas ! 
'  too  often,  see  the  i-everses  of  fortune,  instances  of  misery,  oppres- 
'  sion  of  the  unfortunate  and  unprotected,  the  cruelty  and  malice  of 


Ixxix 

attack  on  Bultiniore  he  proved  his  valor  and  patriotism, 
but  lost  for  some  years  the  vigor  of  an  uncommonly 
strong  constitution  by  sufferings  produced  by  inflam- 
matory rheumatism.  He  at  last  recovered,  resumed 
his  profession,  married,  and  removed  to  Meadvillc, 
where  he  resided  for  many  years,  beloved  and  respected 
in  no  common  degree.  His  judicial  appointment  em- 
braced five  counties,  and  its  onerous  duties  seem  to 
have  been  discharged  in  a  most  creditable  manner.* 
He  is  said,  by  those  who  knew  him,  to  have  been  a  man 
of  most  benevolent  disposition,  high  moral  principle, 
and  engaging  manners.     They  had, 

Frances,  m.  to  Edgar  Huidekoper. 

Edward, 

'  the  ■wealthy,  equaling  if  not  exceeding  anything  I  have  met  with  in 
'  the  effusions  of  the  most  fanciful  writer.  A  man  who,  some  years 
'  ago,  stood  high  in  character,  wealth  and  importance,  as  a  merchant 
'  in  Philadelphia,  bearing  a  commission  of  the  Peace,  now  lies,  the 
'  victim  of  oppression,  and  the  picture  of  misery  and  wretchedness, 
'  in  a  solitary  room  in  Lancaster  prison,  for  a  debt  he  is  unable  to 
'  pay.  This  is  but  one  among  many  instances  that  come  within  my 
'  observation  in  the  course  of  my  profession.  How  thankful  should 
'  we  be  to  a  kind  Providence  for  his  goodness  in  keeping  us  above 
'  the  frowns  of  fortune.     And  how  thankful  should  I  be  to  my  dear 

*  good  father  for  urging  me  to  a  profession  which  affords  me  fre- 
'  quent  opportunities  of  alleviating  the  distresses  of  the  unfortunate, 
'  at  the  same  time  that  I  am  following  my  professional  duties  and 
'  making  my  livelihood.  But  a  truce,  for  a  message  this  minute 
'  comes  to  invite  me  to  come  and  drink  tea  with  Mrs.  Grubb,  at  Mrs. 
'  Zantzinger's.  That  charming  woman  has  been  spending  a  few 
'  days  with  Miss  Juliana.  You  have  frequently  joked  and  pressed 
'  me  about  entering  into  a  matrimonial  engagement.  Could  I  find 
'  another  just  like  her,  I  should  not  be  long  in  making  a  choice,  so 
'  far  as  related  to  myself. 

'  Weddings  have  of  late  become  very  fashionable  at  Carlisle  and 

*  Harrisburg,  but  Lancaster  remains  statu  quo — none  talked  of. 

'  Adieu,  my  dear  sister,  as  1  must  cease  so  as  to  accept  my  invi- 
'  tation.     Yours,  affectionately, 

'IL  SHIPPEN.' 

*  Several  of  his  decisions  are  to  be  fouud  in  Haz.  Reg. 


Ixxx 

Henry, 

Evans  W.,  id.  Katherine  Y.  McElwee. 

Rush  R.,  (Rev.)  now  of  Chicago. 

Sarah,  m.  to  Rev.  Thos.  J.  Mumford. 

William, 

FrankliN; 

Joseph. 


Of  the  families  of  Swift  and  M'Call,  which  have  been 
already  and  will  be  again  mentioned,  I  have  gathered  the 
following  information,  which  may  be  appropriately  inserted 
here  : 

Samuel  M'Call,*  of  Glasgow,  merchant,  m.  a  dau.  of 
Robert  Dundas,  of  Arnistoun.  She  was  a  sister  of 
Lord  Arnistoun,  and  an  aunt  of  Viscount  Melville. 
They  had  issue,  (with  others,) 

Robert,  who  emigrated  to  America,  and  settled 
in  Virginia.     He  had, 

Samuel,  who  m.  his  cousin  Ann,  as  here- 
after mentioned. 
Another  son,  (William,  as  is  said,)  whose 
dau.  Catharine  Flood  M'Call,  was 
living  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  in  1821, 
when  Mr.  Swift  called  upon  her.  She 
was,  as  is  believed,  the  last  of  the 
Virginia  branch. 

*  These  notices  are  prepared  from  various  MS.  letters,  deeds, 
powers  of  attorney,  &c.,  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Swift,  Mr.  Harry 
M'Call  and  Mr.  Kicht^ ;  and  from  information  derived  through  a 
gentleman  in  England.  M'Call  Arms. — Gu.  a  fesse  chequy  ar.  and 
of  the  field,  surmounting  two  arrows  in  .saltire  ar.  points  upward, 
all  between  three  buckles  of  the  same,  and  within  a  bordure  indented 
or.  Crest. — A  boot,  thereon  a  spur,  all  ppr.  Motto. — Dulce  peri- 
culum. 


Ixxxl 

George,  who  settled  iu  riiilaJolphia. 
James,  from   whom   descended    James   iM'Call, 
Esq.,  of  Braehead  and  Glyntown,   now  or 
hitely  Lt.  Col.  8th  Ilussars. 

George  M'Call  settled  in  Philadelphia  some  time  during 
the  year  1701,  (as  is  conjectured);  but,  however  this  may 
be,  in 

1710,  he  bought  a  large  tract  of  land,  some  ten  thousand 
acres,  situated  on  the  Schuylkill  river  and  Manahatauy 
creek,  which  he  called  Douglas  Manor.  He  was  a  merchant 
in  high  standing,  and  acquired  large  wealth. 

1716,  August  9th,  he  m.  Ann  Yeates,  dau.  of  Jasper 
Yeates,  a  gentleman  of  the  highest  consideration  and  cha- 
racter in  the  Province ;  who  was  one  of  the  Council,  and 
part  of  the  time  held  that  office  whilst  a  member  of  the  As- 
sembly. He  did  much  to  compose  the  diffisrences  between 
the  two  bodies,  frequently  acting  on  Committees  of  Confer- 
ence. One  of  his  descendants,  Judge  Jasper  Yeates,  as 
will  be' hereafter  seen,  married  the  daughter  of  C.ol.  James 
Eurd. 

Mr.  M'Call  d.  1740. 

She  d.  17-44.  They  are  both  buried  in  Christ  Church- 
yard. Their  portraits  are  in  the  possession  of  the  Misses 
M'Call,  in  Chestnut  street. 

They  had,  (with  Margaret,  William  and  Jenny,  who 
d.  young  or  unm^ 
1.  Catharine,  m.  to  John  Inglis,*  for  many  years  Col- 

*  Mr.  Inglis'  portrait,  painted  by  Pealc  about  the  year  1770,  for 
the  City  Dancing  Assemi)ly,  of  which  Mr.  Inglis  was  a  manager 
from  its  institution  till  within  a  few  years  of  his  death,  is  now  iu 
the  possession  of  Mr.  Fisher.  Mr.  Inglis'  arms  were :  Az.  a  lioa 
rampant  ar.  on  a  chief  ar.  three  stars  az.  Crest. — A  demi-lion  ar. 
in  his  dexter  paw  a  mullet  oi*.  Motto. — Kecte  faciendo  securua. 
4* 


Ixxxii 

lector  of  the  Port,  and  also  member  of  Common  Coun- 
cil;  to  which  he  was  elected  Nov.  11, 1745.     They  had, 

John  Inqlis,  m,   Barbara .     He  was 

afterwards  Rear  Admiral  in  the  British  Navy. 
He  lived  at  Red  Hall,  near  Edinburgh. 

Samuel  Inglis,  who  m.  Ann ,  and  d. 

1783,  leaving  Rebecca,  who  d.  shortly  after 
her  father,  as  did  also  his  widow. 
George     Inglis,    of    Abingdon,    Montgomery 

county;  d.  unm.  1833. 
Katharine,  d.  unm.  1821. 
Mary,  m.  to  Col.  Julines  Hering,  of  Jamaica.* 
They  had,  besides  Mrs.  Middleton,  mentioned 
heretofore  (p.  xlvi), 

Anna  Maria,  m.  to  the  late  Earl  of  Scar- 
borough, and  d.  leaving  the  present 
Earl  and  two  daughters. f 
Eleanor,  m.  to  Sir  John  Milbanke,  Bart. 
Catharine,  m.  to  Mr.  Gordon.^ 
Oliver,  m.  but  d.  s.  p. 
Ann,  m.   to  Gilbert  Barkly,  merchant,  who  d. 
1771.       They    had    one    child,    Katharine 
Barkly,  who  lived   (July  12th,  1804)  with 
her  uncle,  Admiral  Inglis. 

2.  Jasper  M'Call,  a  merchant,  who  m.  Magdalen  Kollock, 
of  Delaware.  He  d.  1747.  His  widow  subsequently 
m.  John  Swift,  for  many  years  Collector  of  the  Port. 

*  His  arms  were,  '  Vert,  on  a  bend  ar.  a  cinquefoil  between  two 
•  lions  pass,  of  the  field.'  For  a  notice  of  Col.  Hering's  descent,  see 
Burke's  Commoners,  s.  v.  Beckford  of  Fonthill.  Mr.  Fisher  has 
the  portraits  of  Col.  Hering  and  his  wife. 

•[•  See  Burke's  Peerage. 

X  Her  two  dau.  married  into  the  family  of  Miles. — Burke's  Landed 
Gentry. 


Ixxxiii 

John  Swift  was  the  eldest  of  the  two  sons  of  John  Swift 
and  Mary  White,  his  wife,  who  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania, 
and  purchased  lands  in  Philadelphia  county,  which  he  rep- 
resented for  many  years  in  the  Assembly.*  He  came  from 
London"!"  to  this  city,  and  was  of  a  family  which  sprung 
originally  from  Yorkshire.  Mrs.  Swift  was  the  sister 
of  the  John  White  to  whom  John  Swift's  letters  are  ad- 
dressed; a  man  of  considerable  wealth,  of  high  character 
and  excellent  social  position.  He  took  a  most  affectionate 
interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  two  nephews,  John  and  Joseph, 
and  had  them  sent  out  to  him  in  England,  where  they  were 
educated,  the  younger,  Joseph,  having  been  a  graduate  of 
one  of  the  two  great  Universities;  though  it  is  not  now 
known  of  which.  J  Though  their  uncle  offered  them  a  home 
in  England,  yet  they  preferred  to  take  care  of  themselves, 
and  'seek  their  fortunes'  in  the  new  world. §  Some  years, 
however,  before  Mr.  White  died,  he  made  over  to  them  his 
fortune,  upon  condition  that  they  should  pay  to  him  a  given 
annuity;  a  condition  which  was  not  only  fulfilled,  but  when, 
on  one  occasion,  he  wanted  something  more  than  usual,  his 
request  was  answered  by  a  bill  of  exchange  for  double  the 
amount  he  asked  for. 


*  Proud.  II.  150,  &c. 

f  Mr.  Swift's  coat  of  arms  was,  '  Or.  a  cliev.  barry  nebulee  ar. 
'  and  az.  between  three  roebucks  courant  ppr.'  Mr.  White's  arms 
are  generally  used  by  the  Swift  family. 

X  Some  of  Joseph  Swift's  Latin  and  Greek  books  are  still  kept  in 
the  family ;  but  the  inscriptions  in  them  do  not  mention  the  Uni- 
versity at  which  he  was  educated. 

§  John  Swift  to  Grosvenor  Bedford,  Oct.  11,  1748,  speaks  of  'the 
'  indolent  and  luxurious  life  which  I  led  at  Croydon,'  (Mr.  White's 
residence,)  '  as  not  suitable  to  my  circumstances,  whatever  it  might 
'  be  to  my  inclinations.' 

April  12,  1748.  'My  ambition  and  inclination  lead  me  to  settle 
*  in  England,  but  I  think  it  is  better  for  me  to  stay  here,  where 
'  there  is  a  certainty  of  advantage  in  business.' 


Ixxxiv 

Of  Mr.  "White  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  many  par- 
ticulars. A  great  deal  of  his  plutc  and  china  still  remain 
in  the  family.*  There  is  also  a  curious  medal  now  in  the 
possession  of  Mr.  Joseph  Swift. ■}■  His  portrait,  by  Sir 
Joshua  Reynolds,  hangs  at  Swarthmore,  and  represents  a 
portly,  fashionably-dressed  gentleman,  who,  to  judge  from 
his  physiognomy,  was  by  no  means  deficient  either  in  cha- 
racter or  in  love  of  good  cheer. 

Mr.  White's  letters  were  unfortunately  destroyed  some 
years  since.  Tradition  represents  him  to  have  been  de- 
scended from  a  family  which  had  held  high  civic  honors  ia 
the  city  of  London,  and  also  distinguished  position  iu  the 
English  church. 

*  The  arms,  as  painted  on  tlie  cliina  and  engraved  on  the  silver, 
are:  Gules,  a  bordure  sable  charged  -with  eight  estoilesor;  on  a 
canton  ermines,  a  lion  rampant  sable.  Crest.-^On  the  china,  an 
ostrich,  but  on  the  silver  a  stork. 

•j-  A  friend,  with  some  numi.smatic  propensities,  inquired  in  JVotes 
and  Queries,  (ix.  399,  x.  15,  94,)  concerning  this  medal.  It  is  of 
silver,  about  two  inches  in  diameter.  On  the  face  is  a  bust  of  Queen 
Anne,  crowned  with  laurel ;  legend,  d.  g.  mag.  bei.  fr.  et  hib. 
Reverse,  full  length  figure  of  Britannia,  holding  a  lance  and  an  olive 
branch;  ships  sailing  and  laborers  ploughing  in  the  background; 
legend,  compositis  venerantuk  armis,  muccxih.  Tradition  repre- 
sents it  to  have  been  given  to  Joseph  Swift,  on  some  occasion,  whilst 
he  Avas  at  the  University, 

Mr.  W.  D.  Haggard  (x.  94)  thinks  this  tradition  'incorrect,'  be- 
cause the  medal  'was  struck  on  the  Peace  of  Utrecht.  There  were 
'  two  medals  struck,  one  much  smaller  than  the  other.  The  larger 
'  one  in  gold  was  presented  to  each  member  of  the  House  of  Lords; 
'  the  smaller  one  in  ffold  to  each  member  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
'  I  have  seen  a  medal  of  the  same  description,  but  of  a  size  between 
'  the  two  ;   ex.  rare.' 

Mr.  Haggard  has  overlooked  the  fact  that  the  medals  of  which  he 
speaks  are  of  gold,  whilst  this  is  of  silver.  Another  correspondent, 
(E.  H.)  of  Notes  and  Queries,  (x.  15,)  suggests  that  'an  examination 
'  of  the  records  of  Oxford  or  Cambridge  might  show,  that  a  medal 
'  was  presented  to  the  writer  of  the  best  copy  of  verses  upon  the 
'  Peace  of  Utrecht.'  This  may  perhaps  have  been  the  case ;  that 
the  medal  was  thus  given  to  a  member  of  the  family  of  Mr.  White 
or  Mr.  Swift,  perhaps  to  Mr.  White  himself,  who  is  said  to  have  re- 
ceived his  degree  at  Oxford. 


Ixxxv 

John  Swift  returucd  to  Philadelpbia  soiue  tiuic  in  No- 
vember or  Deccuiber,  1740,*  and  entered  into  business  as  a 
merchant.       lie  served  for  many  years  in  the  City  Council, 

*  John  Swift's  letter-book,  from  -svliich  I  have  alrcaily  extracted 
matter  calcuh'ited  to  exhibit  life  and  society  in  Philadeliihia,  as  it 
was  more  than  a  century  since,  has  in  it  also  a  letter,  part  of  which 
is  curious  as  showing  what  our  ancestors,  on  the  other  side  of  the 
water,  desired  to  obtain  as  the  rarities  of  our  country.  It  is  ad- 
dressed to  Mr.  John  Wliite,  at  Croydon,  in  Surry,  dated  April  liTth, 
1749.  After  speakinn-  of  a  couple  of  silver  sauceboats,  which  ho 
had  had  made  as  a  present  to  his  uncle,  partly,  however,  for  the 
sake  of  showing  the  skill  of  the  silversmith,  he  says : 

'  I  have  also  sent  you  four  flying  squirrels  by  Capt.  Arthur,  who 
'  has  promised  to  take  care  of  them.  They  are  in  a  wire  cage, 
'  which  I  had  made  last  summer  for  the  purpose,  and  I  have  jiro- 
'  vided  for  them  a  good  store  of  nuts.  You  are  to  pay  Capt.  Arthur 
'  for  their  passage  with  a  good  bowl  of  punch  at  the  Coffee  House, 
'  if  they  get  to  you  safely,  which  I  hope  they  will.  It  gives  me  a 
'  great  deal  of  uneasiness,  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  procure  some 
'  rattlesnakes  to  send  you.  I  have  sent  eight  to  Mr  Bedford,  which 
'  were  all  that  I  could  anyways  muster  up.  The  season  is  now 
'  coming  on  for  them,  and  I  have  four  doctors  and  two  iron-works 
'  engaged,  by  solemn  promises,  to  get  all  they  can  for  me,  besides 
'  several  frequenters  of  the  market,  and  they  shall  none  of  them 
'  have  any  peace  till  I  am  supplied  with  a  sufficient  quantity.  Jlr. 
'  Bedford  seemed  to  have  set  his  heart  so  very  much  on  having 
'  some,-  and  I  have  said  so  much  to  him  about  them,  that  I  was 
'  ashamed  to  put  him  off  any  longer.  I  hope  you  will  be  so  good  as 
*  to  excuse  me  until  [  get  some  more.' 

In  the  letter,  by  the  same  ve^ssel,  advising  Mr.  Bedford  of  the 
shipment  of  the  rattlesnakes,  he  mentions  that  '  there  is  a  small 
'  bundle  of  French  vipers  among  them.'  Terrapins  were  sent  so 
frequently,  that  I  doubt  not  but  that  they  were  as  much  esteemed 
by  the  Philadelphia  epicures  of  that  day  as  they  are  by  the  philoso- 
phers of  the  present. 

The  names  of  Grosvenor  Charles  Bedford,  and  his  brother,  Horace 
AValpole  Bedford,  are  of  course  familiar  to  the  readers  of  Southcy's 
Life  and  Letters.  I  suppose,  from  the  dates,  place  of  residence, 
names,  &c.,  that  these  gentlemen  were  the  sons  of  the  friend  of  Mr. 
Swift  and  Mr.  White. 

John  Swift  married  without  obtaining  his  uncle's  consent  before- 
hand. From  several  letters  on  the  subject  I  extract  the  following, 
which  give  a  quiet  but  amusing  account  of  the  aflfair.  Mr.  White's 
dissatisfaction  did  not  prevent  his  bestowing  one  half  of  his  fortune 
on  Mr.  Swift,  as  already  related. 

CH.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  SHIPPEN. 

^London,  September  lAih,  1749. 
*  You  tell  me  of  John  Swift's  wedding.     The  reason  of  his  con- 


Ixxxvi 

to  which  he  was  elected  Dec.  4,  1757.  He  was  generally 
known  as  '  the  old  Collector.'*  He  d.  1802.  By  his  wife, 
Magdalen,  he  had  issue, 

John  White,  Jacob,  and  Mary,  d.  xinm. 
Alice,  m.  1st,  to  Robert  Cambridge  Livingston, 
by  whom  she  had, 

Robert  Swift,  Thomas  Ferguson,  John 
Swift,  James  Duane,  and  Maria, 
m.  to  John  C.  Stevens,  Esq. 

'  cealing  it,  was  that  his  uncle,  Mr.  John  White,  might  give  his  con- 
'  sent  to  the  marriage  before  he  lieard  that  it  was  actually  consum- 
'  mated ;  in  which,  however,  poor  Swift  was  disappointed,  for  the 

*  old  gentleman  had  not  the  letter  to  ask  his  consent  before  he 
'  received  that  which  gave  an  account  of  his  being  married.     I  met 

*  Mr.  White  in  the  Coffee  House  and  wished  him  joy,  but  he  gave 
'  me  a  short  answer:  that  it  was  no  joy  to  him,  and  thought  that, 

*  as  Swift  had  no  other  dependence  but  on  him,  the  least  he  could 
'  have  done  would  have  been  to  ask  his  consent  before  he  took  such 
'  a  step.  However,  I  hope  he  will  not  carry  his  resentment  so  far 
'  as  to  prejudice  the  poor  fellow,  who,  I  believe,  is  very  deserving.' 

JOHN  SWIFT  TO  OSGOOD  GEE,  ESQ.,  AT    BECKENHAM,  KENT. 

*  I  should  have  acquainted  you  of  my  being  married,  while  it  was 
'  new,  but  could  never  catch  myself  in  a  humor  to  do  it,  and  answer 
'  your  letter  at  the  same  time.  I  make  no  doubt  but  you,  and  all 
'  the  rest  of  my  friends,  were  surprised  to  hear  it.  I  am  sensible 
'  that  it  must  appear,  to  people  that  know  me,  to  be  a  very  strange 

*  way  of  proceeding,  not  to  consult  my  uncle  about  it,  but  I  was  got 
'  so  far  in  love  (without  intending  it)  that  I  could  not  bear  the 
'  thought  of  being  refused,  because  nothing  in  this  world  could  have 
'  made  me  happy,  if  that  had  been  the  case.  I  must  now  look  upon 
'  Philadelphia  as  my  home,  but  have  not  given  over  the  thought  of 
'  seeing  England  once  again,  and  having  the  pleasure  of  being  your 

*  guest  at  Beckenham.  Pray  make  my  compliments  to  Mrs.  Gee, 
'  and  all  your  good  family.  I  have  sent  two  small  kegs  of  pickles, 
'  the  produce  of  this  country,  of  which  I  beg  your  acceptance,  and 
'  hope  they  will  prove  good.  They  are  in  a  box,  which  I  have  sent 
'  to  my  uncle's,  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Elliot,  a  young  gentleman 
'  that  came  over  with  me  from  London,  and  we  have  lived  together 
'  in  the  same  house  these  two  years.  If  it  should  fall  in  your  way 
'  to  be  acquainted  with  him,  you  will  find  him  to  be  a  very  sensible, 
'  modest,  deserving  young  fellow,  and  an  agreeable  companion.  He 
'  is  a  son  of  my  Lord  Minto's,  of  Scotland.' 

*  His  portrait  is  now  in  possession  of  Miss  Magdalen  P.  Swift. 


Ixxxvii 

She  m.  2dly,  (in  New   York,)  James  Craufurd, 
Esq.,  Colonel  of  the  Guards,  Equerry  to  the 
Queen,  and  Governor  of  Bermuda,  by  whom 
she  had  no  issue.     He  was  a  friend  of  George 
Selwyn.* 
Joseph,  who  commanded  a  troop  of  horse  (Loy- 
alist) during  the  Revolution.")"     He  went  to 
Nova  Scotia,  where   he  married,  but  subse- 
quently returned  to   Philadelphia  with   his 
wife,  and  here  d.  1826.     He  haa  nine  chil- 
dren.    He  was  *  the  handsome  as  ever  but 
'  stuttering  as  usual  Captain  Joe  Swift,'  men- 
tioned in  Miss  Franks'  letter  to  her  sister,  a 
part  of  which  is  printed  in  the  Republican 
Court. 
Charles,    at   one  time    Register   of  Wills,  m. 
1st,  Mary  Riche,  by  whom    he   had,  (with 
Mary  d.  young,) 
Thos.  Riche, 
Magdalen  Peel, 
Sarah,  m.  to  her  cousin,  James  Duane 

Livingston. 
Charles,  who  changed  his  name  to  Charles 

Swift  Riche. 
John,  for  several  years  Mayor  of  the  City. 
Mr.  Swift  m.  2dly,  Mrs  Inman,  by  whom  he  had, 
Robert,  Lewis,|  and  Henry. 

*  See  mention  of  him  and  his  brother  in  Mr.  Jesse's  entertaining 
volumes  '  George  Selwyn  and  his  Contemporaries,'  iv.  103,  iii.  380. 
Mr.  Griswold  (Republican  Court,  p.  32)  says  that  Gov.  Craufurd, 
after  his  marriage,  resided  in  New  York  till  his  death. 

f  Mr.  Sabine,  in  his  Loyalists,  has  a  brief  notice  of  him. 

X  Mr.  Lewis  Swift  is  now  in  possession  of  the  old  family  prop- 
erty, called  '  Croydon  Lodge.' 


Ixxxviii 

3.  Anne    M'Call,    b.   April   7,  1720;    m.    her   cousiu, 

Samuel  M'Call.  He  was  employed  by  the  government, 
as  I  find  from  bis  letter,  (Dover,  Mai/ 2S,  17(35,)  in 
some  matters  of  consequence,  and  is  called,  in  one  of 
the  letters,  'Major  M'Call/  They  bad,  with  Anne, 
Catharine,  Margaret,  Eleanor  and  Isabel,  who 
d.  unm., 

Mary,  who  m.  a  British  officer,  named  Dow,  and 
bad  two^bildren, 

Samuel,  d.  young,  and  Anne,  returned  to 
Philadelphia,  where  she  lived  with 
her  aunts,  and  d.  unm.  1841. 

4.  Samuel,  b.  Oct.  5,  1721;  d.  1762.     He  was  a  mer- 

chant, and  appears  to  have  served  in  no  other  public 
capacity  than  that  of  member  of  Council,  to  which  he 
was  elected  Oct.  6,  1747.  He  m.  Ann,  dau.  of  Capt. 
John  Searle,  and  had  issue,* 

George,  Margaret,  Eleanor  and  Mary,  d. 

unm. 
Catharine,  m.  Tench  Coxe,  d.  s.  p. 
John  Searle  M'Call,  of  the  island  of  St.  Chris- 
topher, merchant,  d.  unm.  1786. 
Ann,  m.  to  Thomas  Willing,  as  hereinafter  men- 
tioned. 

5.  George,  b.  April  16, 1724 ;  d.  1758.     His  wife  was  the 

Mrs.  Lydia  M'Call  in  Watson's  list  of  belles.  She 
d.  1762.     They  had, 

Mary,  Catharine,  and  Lydia,  all  of  whom  d. 
unm. 

*  MS.  in  Chief  Justice  Tilghman's  handwriting. 


Ixxxix 

6.  Mary,  b.  March  31,  1725;  m.  to  William  Plumstcad, 

(son  of  Clement  Plumstead,  well  known  in  the  early 
annals  of  the  Province,)  repeatedly  elected  Mayor  of 
the  City,  1750,  &c.     They  had, 

William,   Clement,   Anne,   and  Catharine, 

who  d.  unm.  and 
George,  who  m.  Miss  Ross,  and  had, 

William,  Mary,  Clement,  and  Mar- 
garet. 

7.  Archibald,  b.  June  28,  1727;  d.  1799.     He  lived  at 

the  corner  of  Union  and  Second  streets.  He  was  the 
first  East  India  merchant  of  his  day.  He  m.  1762, 
Judith  Kemble,  of  Mount  Kemble,  in  New  Jersey,* 
and  by  her  (who  d.  1828,  aged  86)  had  issue,  several 
children,  which  d.  young ;  and  Samuel,  Harriet, 
Richard  and  Robert,  d.  unm.     Also, 

Mary,  b.  July  28,  1764;  d.  March  23,  1848; 
m.  to  Lambert  Cadwalader,  Colonel  in 
the  American  army  during  the  Revolution. 
They  had, 

John,  d.  young. 

Thomas,  m.  Maria  Gouverneur,  of  New 
York. 
Archibald,  b.  Oct.   11,  1767;    d.    1843;    m. 
Elizabeth  Cadwalader,  half  sister  of  the  late 
Gen.   Thomas    Cadwalader,   and   had,   with 
others, 
George   M'Call,  Col.  U.  S.  A.,  m.  Miss 
M'Murtrie. 

*  For  an  account  of  the  Kembles,  one  of  whom  m.  Gen.  Gage,  B.  A., 
of  Boston  memory,  see  Burke's  Land.    Gentry,  s.  v.  Van  Corllandt. 


George,  b.  May  2, 17G9 ;  d.  April  17, 1799 ;  m. 
Miss  Clymer,  dau.  of  George  Clymei*,  one  of 
the  signers  of  the  Declaration. 
Anne,  b.  May  12,  1772 ;  d.  1845 ;  m.  to  Wil- 
liam Read,  Esq, 
William,  m.  Elizabeth  Sitgreaves,  of  Easton. 
Peter,  b.  March  23,  1776  j  d.  1809;  m.  Sarah 
Gibson,  and  had, 

John    Gibson,    d.    leaving    issue,    and 
Peter,  lately  Mayor  of  the  City,  m. 
Miss  Mercer,  of  Virginia. 
Henry,  b.  Sept.  27,  1788,  still  surviving;  m. 
Lise  Jones,  of  Louisiana,  and  has, 
Richard,  m.  Olivia  Wilson. 
Harry,  m.  Charlotte  Wilcocks. 
Jones,  m.  Angele  Longer. 

8.  Margaret,  b.  April  6,  1731;  d.  1804; 

m.  1759,  to  Joseph  Swift,  younger  and  only  brother 
of  John  Swift,  above  mentioned.    He  was  b.  June  24, 
1731,  and  d.  December  26,  1806.     They  are  buried  in 
the  same  tomb  in  Christ  Church-yard.     Their  portraits 
are    at    '  Swarthmore,'     formerly    his    residence,  now 
that  of  his  gr.  son,  Mr.  Joseph  Swift. 
Joseph  Swift  was  a  merchant,  and  in  business  for  many 
years  with  his  brother.     He  was  elected  to  the  City  Coun- 
cil, along  with  George  Clymer,  on  the  6th  of  October,  1767, 
in  which  he  served  until  his  death  in  1806.*     His  character 

*  He  seems  to  have  taken  some  interest  in  politics.  '  3Iay  1st, 
*  177G. — This  has  been  one  of  the  sharpest  contests,  yet  peaceable, 
'  that  has  been  for  a  number  of  years,  except  some  small  disturbance 
'  among  the  Dutch,  occasioned  by  some  unwarrantable  expressions 
'  of  .Joseph  Swift,  viz.,  that  except  they  were  naturalized,  they  had 
'  no  more  right  to  a  vote  than  a  Negro  or  Indian.' — Christopher  Mar- 
shals Diarif,  11.  At  night  Mr.  Swift's  residence  was  threatened 
by  a  mob ;  but,  as  he  was  not  there,  no  damage  was  done. 


is  so  well  described  by  one  of  his  contemporaries,  as  to 
require  no  further  words  from  me. 

'  With  a  constitution  delicate  in  the  extreme,  he  executed 
'  his  many  duties  with  an  energy  and  steadiness  only  to  be 
'  expected  from  a  stronger  frame.  In  his  private  dealings 
'  he  was  exemplarily  just.  In  the  City  Magistracy,  which 
'  he  filled  for  some  time,  he  was  a  firm  though  gentle  curb 
'  to  evil-doers,  a  support  and  protector  of  those  who  did  well. 
'  In  various  offices  of  our  commercial,  charitable  and  reli- 
'  gious  institutions,  particularly  those  of  the  Protestant 
'  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  was  an  invaluable  member, 
*  he  honored  himself  and  served  his  constituents  by  a  faith- 
'  ful  and  judicious  execution  of  the  trusts.' 

I  may  add,  that  his  acquirements  as  a  scholar  often 
brought  his  pen  into  requisition,  when  public  papers  were 
to  be  prepared ;  an  instance  of  which  may  be  found  in  the 
address  by  the  Philadelphia  merchants  to  the  Speaker  of 
the  New  Jersey  Assembly.     They  had, 

Ellinor  White,  Joun,  William,-  George, 
Martha  and  Margaret,  d.  %inm.  Ellinor 
was  famous  in  her  day  as  a  belle,  but  died 
young. 
Mary,  now  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  92  years. 
She  was  the  intimate  friend  of  her  cousin, 
Eleanor  Elliot,  who  afterwards  m.  Admiral 
Digby,  and  went  to  England,  and  with  her 
she  maintained  for  many  years,  until  Mrs. 
Digby's  death,  a  constant  and  aflFcctionatc 
correspondence.  Mrs.  Digby's  letters  were 
filled  with  details  of  society  and  life  in  Eng- 
land; but,  after  her  death.  Miss  Swift  de- 
stroyed them.     Mrs.  Digby,  amongst  other 


things,  sent  out  two  pictures  representing 
diflFerent  views  of  bcr  husband's  residence, 
one  of  which  is  at  Swarthmore,  the  other  is 
in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Swift's  eldest  daugh- 
ter. They  were  painted  (as  appears  by  the 
inscriptions  on  them)  by  Robert  Sherburne, 
1790. 

Joseph,  who  m.  and  left  two  daughters,  Mrs. 
Crawford  and  Mrs.  Morrison. 

Elizabeth,  still  living. 

Samuel,  b.  11th  Jan.  1771,  who  m.  Feb.  11, 
1795,  Mary  Shippen,  dau.  of  Col.  Joseph 
Shippen.  She  was  b.  May  17,  1773,  and  d. 
June  2,  1809.  He  d.  at  Germantown,  Nov. 
28,  1847.  They  are  buried  in  one  tomb  in 
the  graveyard  of  the  ancient  Episcopal  Church 
at  Oxford.  She,  as  appears  both  from  her  let- 
ters and  the  testimony  of  those  who  knew  her, 
was  faithful,  judicious  and  aflFectionate  in  all 
her  several  relations  in  life.  He  was  gradu- 
ated at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
studied  law  with  Judge  Yeates;  but  preferring 
the  independence  of  a  country  life,  lived  at  his 
country  place,  in  Philadelphia  county.  Edu- 
cated a  Federalist,  he  nevertheless  espoused 
the  Democratic  policy,  which  he  occasionally 
advocated  in  articles  greatly  esteemed  at  the 
time  for  their  vigor,  candor,  research  and 
polish.  He  possessed  much  natural  poetical 
talent,  which  he  cultivated  and  exercised,  up 
to  his  decease,  for  the  amusement  and  grati- 
fication of  his  family,  though  he  never  cared 


to  seek  a  wider  circle.  Many  of  these  pieces 
are  preserved  by  his  children.  They  had 
issue, 

Margaret,  m.  to  John  Shippen,  and  has 

issue,  (ante,  p.  Ixxvi.) 
William,  d.  unm. 

Mary,  m.  to  M.  Brooke  Buckley.  They 
have  issue,  one  son, 
Edward  Shippen. 
Joseph,  m.  Nov.  24,  1831,  Eliza  Moore 
Willing,  dau.  of  George  Willing,  here- 
after mentioned.  She  d.  Sept.  9, 1840. 
They  had,    (with  George,   who  d.  «     / 

Mary.    Oet^*5j/oOA)  . 

Samuel,  m.  Mary  Royer,  and  has  issue. 

Elizabeth, 

Sarah, 

Edwin, 

Jane,  m.  to  John  Swift,  (not  a  kinsman.) 

9.  Eleanor,  b.  July  8,  1732,  m.  to  Andrew  Elliot,*  then 

*  Mr.  Elliot,  already  spoken  of,  [ante,  p.  Ixxxvi,)  is  frequently 
mentioned  in  John  Swift's  letter-book,  from  which  I  extract  a  para- 
graph, written  whilst  Mr.  Elliot  was  on  a  visit  to  London.  The 
letter  is  addressed  to  Grosvenor  Bedford,  Oct.  25,  1749.  'If  you 
'  frequent  the  Pennsylvania  CoflFee  House,  you  will  probably  meet 
'  with  a  tall,  thin  Scots  gentleman,  with  a  pimply  face.  He  answers 
'  to  the  name  of  Elliot,  and  is  an  intimate  friend  of  mine,  one  for 
'  whom  I  have  a  particular  regard,  on  account  of  several  valuable 
'  qualities  1  have  discovered  in  him,  we  having  lived  together  in  the 
'  same  house  for  nearly  two  years.'  Mr.  Elliot  was  elected  to  the 
City  Councils,  Oct.  7,  1755,  along  with  Chief  Justice  Shippen  and 
Thomas  Willing,  and  served  in  that  body  for  several  years.  There 
is  a  sketch  of  him  in  Mr.  Sabine's  Loyalists,  to  which  I  will  only 
add,  that  the  Pennsylvania  property,  derived  through  his  marriage, 
was  confiscated  and  sold. 


a  resident  in  Philadelphia,  afterwards  Lt.  Gov.  of  New 

York.     She  had  but  one  child,  (a  few  days  after  whos« 

birth  she  died),* 

Eleanor,  m.  1st,  January  14th,  1774,  to  James 

Jauncey,  Jr.,  of  New  York ;  and  2dly,  at)out 

1784,  to  Admiral  Digby,  who  served  on  our 

coast  during  the  Revolution.     She  d.  s.  p.-\ 

After  his  first  wife's  death,  Mr.  Elliot  m.  2dly,  Elizabeth 

Plumstead,  (sister  of  William  Plumstead,  who  m.  Mary 

M'Call,)  and  had  two  daughters, 

*  The  portrait  of  Mrs.  Elliot  anJ  her  dau.  Eleanor,  taken  Tvhilst 
a  child,  by  West,  are  at  Swarthmore.  Mrs.  Buckley  has  a  miniature 
of  Mrs.  Digby,  taken  after  she  went  to  England  to  reside. 

**M  ^^  ^i\-Tu  th(^efefl^Grt>f  Ail^rhl  Gr-aves  {Pol.  Mag.  1784,  vi.  20,  &c.) 
ig^#c«riou«ilccomiLoy  tlieDattle  which  he  intended  to  fight  with  the 
,  ,p*^mt  fle  lTrass%  an|l thereby  relieve  Lord  Cornwallis;  an  extract 
from  which,  as  it  relates  to  Admiral  Digby,  I  make. 

'  The  24th,  in  the  evening,  Rear  Admiral  Digby  came  from  Europe 
'  with  the  Prince  George  of  98,  Canada  of  74,  and  Lion  of  64  guns  ; 
'  and  upon  the  11th  of  October  arrived  the  Torbay  of  74,  and  Prince 
'  William  of  64  guns,  from  Jamaica,  Ln  pursuance  of  Sir  George 
'  Rodney's  orders. 

'  Mr.  Digby  bore  himself  a  commission  for  commanding  in  North 
'  America,  and  brought  to  Mr.  Graves  Admiralty  orders,  dated  the 
'  9th  of  .June,  for  his  proceeding  with  the  London  to  Jamaica  and 
'  for  putting  himself  under  the  senior  oiScer  on  that  station,  if  senior 
'  to  himself.  However,  the  London  could  not  be  spared  at  this 
'crisis,  when  another  engagement  was  in  contemplation;  and  the 
'  officers  both  of  fleet  and  army  appearing  desirous  of  the  same 
'  Admiral's  continuing  to  direct  the  naval  operations,  and  no  one 
'  more  so  than  Mr.  Digby  himself,  (the  next  in  rank  upon  the  sta- 
'tion,)  Mr.  Graves  went  on  with  the  maritime  command,  although 
'  superseded,  with  the  same  ardor  and  alacrity  as  before. 

'  The  utmost,  and  very  uncommon  exertions  had  indeed  hitherto 
'  been  made  throughout  all  the  marine  departments  to  get  every  one 
'  of  the  ships  ready  again  for  sea,  but  some  cross  accidents  inter- 
'  vened  to  retard  them ;  in  particular,  the  Alcide,  by  falling  aboard 
'  the  Shrewsbury,  had  carried  away  her  bowsprit  and  foreyard,  just 
'  as  she  was  repaired  in  lier  damages  from  the  late  fight.  All,  how- 
'  ever,  except  the  Shrewsbury,  Montagu,  and  Europe,  went  down 
'with  the  help  of  evening  tide  to  Sandy  Hook  the  17th,  when  the 


Elizabeth,  m.  to  Earl  Cathcart,  She  was  the 
grandmother  of  the  late  General  Cathcart, 
who  was  killed  in  the  Crimea. 

Agnes,  m.  to  Sir  David  Carnegie. 

'  Admiral  gave  out  his  line  of  hattlc;*  the  next  morning  they  em- 
'  barked  their  troops;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  the  three 

*  last-named  ships  joining  the  rest,  and  taking  in  their  lot  of  soldiers, 

*  the  whole  armament  getting  safe  over  the  bar,  hurried  away  for 
'  the  Chesapeake.  It  consisted  of  25  ships  properly  of  the  line, 
'  there  being  three  of  98  guns,  fourteen  of  74,  one  of  70,  and  seven 
'  of  G4,  besides  two  of  50,  with  7149  land  foi-ces  on  board,  to  which 

*  the  general  would  have  added  another  regiment  or  two,  but  there 
'  was  not  room  for  them. 

'  On  the  24th,  when  near  Cape  Charles,  (the  hithermost  headland 
'of  the  Chesapeake,)  the  scouting  vessels  brought  intelligence  of 
'Lord  Cornwallis  having  surrendered  some  days  before.  His  lord- 
'  ship  had  opened  a  treaty  the  17th,  settled  the  terms  the  18th,  and 
'  signed  them  the  19th.     *     *     *     * 

'  This  made  him  (Admiral  Graves)  determine  to  lose  no  time  in 
turning  over  the  North  American  command  to  Mr.  Digby,  in  pur- 
'  suance  of  .the  Admiralty's  order ;  and  as  his  own  ship  was  not 


»  ■  LnE  OF  Battle.- 

The  Princessa  to  lead  with  the  starboard,  and  the 

Bedford  with  the 

larboard  tacks  on 

board. 

FEIGATKS. 

•< 

SHirs, 

COMMANDERS. 

:3 

i 

'  SybU  . 

a 
3d 

Princessa   ,' 

Rear  Adm.  Samuel  Drake 
Capt.  KnatchbuU 

1™ 

577" 

■  Britannia 



Alcide 

Charles  Thompson 

74 

600 



Lion 

Fooks 

64 

500 



Canada 

Hon.  Wra.  Cornwallis 

74 

600 

Robt.  Diyby.  Esq., 

'  Perseverance 
' to      repeat 
'  signals 

2d 

Pr.  George- 

Rear  Admiral  Digby 
Capt.  J.  Williams 

^98 

768 

.  Rear  .\dmiral  of 
the  Red. 

3d 

Resolution 

Lord  Robert  Manners 

74 

600 

'  L'Knfer  fire  sh. 

— 

Intrepid 

Pye  MoUoy 

64 

500 

•  Felicity 

— 

Montagu 

Bowen 

74 

600  J 

4th 

Warwick 

— : —  Hon.  G.  K.  Elphinston 

50 

3501 

3d 

Pr.  William 

G.  Wilkinson 

64 

500 

'  Rattlesnake 



Centaur 

Inglefield 

74 

650 

'  Carysfort 



Europe 

Child 

64 

500 

'  Volcano  fire  sh. 

— 

Robuste 

Cosby 

Rear  Admiral  Graves 

74 
) 

600 

Thomas  Graves, 
Esq.,    Rear    Xi- 

'  Orpheus  to  re- 

2d 

London       ■< 

Capt.  Kempthorne 

5-98 

800 

■    miral  of  the  Red 

'  peat  signals 

, Morice 

3 

and  Commander 

'  Amphion 

3d 

Royal  Oak 

Burnett 

74 

fiOO 

in  Chief. 

'  Conflagration 

— 

America 

Samuel  Thompson 

64 

500 

*  tire-ship 



Shrewsbury 

Kuight 

74 

600 



Torbay 

Gidion 

74 

600 

'  Blonde 

4th 

Adamant 

David  Graves 

50 

350, 

'  Lively 

3d 

Ajax 

Charrington 

74 

550- 

'  Salamander 

_ 

Prudent 

Barklev 

64 

500 

'  fire-ship 



Monarch 

Revnol.ls 

74 

600 

' Pegasus  to  re- 
*  peat  signals 

2d 

Barfleur 

:  Rear  Adm.  Sir  Sam.  Hood 
Capt.  .Vlex.  Hood 

|98 

768 

Sir  Samuel  Hood, 
Bart.   Rear    Ad- 

'  Ostrich 

3d 

Invincible 

Saxton 

74 

600 

■    miral      of      the 



Belliqueux 

Brine 

64 

500 

Blue." 

'  La  Nymphe 



Alfred 

Bayue 

74 

600 

'  Santa  Margaritta 

- 

Bedford 

:  Commodore  Affleck 
Capt.  Thomas  Graves 

l« 

617 

XCTl 


Sarah  Shippen,  dau.  of  Edward  Shippen,  of  Lancaster, 
(ante,  p.  xxviii)  was  m.  to  Col.  James  Burd.     He  was 
the  third  son  of  Edward  Burd,  a  gentleman  who  lived 
on  his  estate  of  Ormiston,  near  Edinburgh,  Scotland, 
by  his  wife,  Jane  Halliburton,  a  dau.  of  the  Lord  Pro- 
vost of  Edinburgh.     Both  Col.  and  Mrs.  Burd  d.  at 
his   estate    of  Tinian,   near    Harrisburg.      They  had 
issue,  (with  Allen,  d.  young,  and  Elizabeth,  d.  unm.') 
Sarah,  m.  to  Judge  Jasper  Yeates. 
Edward,  m.  to  Elizabeth  Shippen.* 
Mary  Shippen,  m.  to  Peter  Grubb,  Esq. 
Jane  Burd,  m.  to  George  Patterson,  Esq. 
Margaret  Burd,  m.  to  Jacob  Hubley,  Esq. 
James  Burd,  m.  Elizabeth  Baker. 
Joseph  Burd,  m.  1st,  Kitty  Cochrane ;  2d,  Har- 
riet Bailey. 
All  the  children  of  Col.  and  Mrs.  Burd  (except  Joseph) 
rejoiced  in  respectably-sized  families ;  but  as  the  ramifica- 
tions appear  to  be  extensive,  and  as  the  materials  before  me 
are  such  as  I  can  but  little  trust,  I  will  not  attempt  to  trace 
them.     Some  of  their  grand-children  either  are,  or  were, 
or  intermarried  with  persons  of  character  and  position :  the 


*  required  for  the  security  of  the  West  Indian  squadron  on  their 
'  passage,  although  he  had  offered  to  accompany  them  for  that  pur- 
'  pose,  he  sailed  on  the  10th  at  eight  in  the  morning,  singly,  for  his 

*  own  destination.' 

*  As  this  page  is  passing  through  the  press,  the  following  an- 
nouncement appears  in  the  newspapers,  of  the  death  of  the  last  sur- 
viving child  of  Major  Burd  ; 

'This,  11th  day  of  June,   SARAH  BURD,  daughter  of  the  late 

*  Edward  Burd,  Esq.,  in  the  70th  year  of  her  age.' 


late  Edward  Shippen  Burd,  Judge  Charles  Smith,  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  this  State,  Burd  Patterson,  Esq.,  Red- 
mond Conyngham,  and  others. 

Col.  Burd  was  for  many  years  in  the  military  service  of 
the  Province  ;*  but,  as  the  following  letters  speak  so  fully 
of  his  career,  it  is  unnecessary  to  enter  into  a  more  parti- 
cular account  of  his  life  and  character,  except  as  to  his  ser- 
vice in  the  Revolutionary  army.  It  seems,  that  he  was 
very  active  at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution  in  his  efforts 
to  raise  troops,  and  was  greatly  disappointed  and  somewhat 
mortified  at  not  having  received  a  commission  as  Brigadier 
General. f     However,  he  accepted  a  Colonelcy,  to  which  he 


*  The  following  extract  from  a  letter  from  Edward  Shippen,  Esq. 
to  Col.  .James  Burd,  dated  '  Lancaster,  October  6,  1759,'  is  curious 
as  showing  that  nearly  a  century  ago  '  the  western  ti'ade'  was  of 
consequence,  and  the  subject  of  feeling: 

'  Your  kind  favor  of  the  1 8th  inst. ,  several  days  ago,  and  I  am  much 
'  pleased  to  hear  of  your  and  Col.  Shippen's  good  health,  and  that 
'  you  are  going  on  so  fast  with  the  roads  through  that  rugged  coun- 
'  try  to  the  mouth  of  Red  Stone  creek,  which  empties  into  the  Mo- 
'  nongahela.  This  will  give  the  Virginians  and  the  worthless  Mary- 
'  landers  a  fine  opening  to  Pittsburgh,  and  I  am  glad  enough  of  it 
'  on  every  account  except  one,  that  the  former  will  have  an  easy 
'  way  to  transport  their  goods  to,  and  bring  back  the  peltry  from  the 
'  Ohio,  and  as  they  will  then  find  the  sweets  of  the  Indian  trade, 
'  (tho'  for  my  part  I  should  call  them  the  sours,)  we  may  reasonably 
'  expect  they  [will]  not  suffer  us- to  go  out  of  our  limits  down  that 
'  river.' 

f  JOSEPH    SHERER    TO    COL.    .TAMES    BURD,    AT    TINIAN. 

'  Philadelphia,  August  27th,  177G. 
'  Dear  Colonel — I  received  yours  of  the  19th,  and  it  gives  me 
'  great  pleasui-e  to  hear  of  your  welfare,  as  well  as  also  the  spirit 
'  with  which  you  have  conducted  matters,  indeed.  I  hardly  could 
•  expect  that  you  could  have  fitted  out  two  companies  as  well  as  you 
'  have  done,  and  as  for  arms,  here  they  are  not  to  be  had ;  notwith- 
'  standing  there  is  a  great  deal  comes  here,  there  is  a  demand  for 
'  them  to  the  continental  troops,  so  that  our  troops  belonging  to  the 
'  State,  can  have  few  or  none.  *  *  *  *  I  .must  conclude,  and 
'  with  all  esteem,  I  subscribe  myself. 

Your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JOSEPH  SHERER. 
5 


was  elected  Sept.  18th,  1775.*  Dissensions  in  his  battalion, 
and  reluctance  on  the  part  of  his  soldiers  to  serve  anywhere 
else  than  in  their  own  immediate  neighborhood,  induced 
him  to  resign.  The  letters  appended  in  the  note  give  the 
substance  of  the  story.  It  was  a  source  of  deep  regret,  as 
besides  being  '  fond'l  of  a  military  life,  he  had  anticipated 
some  reputation  by  exercising,  in  behalf  of  his  country, 
the  professional  experience  and  knowledge  which  he  pos- 
sessed | 

EDWARD    SHIPPEN    TO    COL.    BURD,  AT   TINIAN. 

'  Lancaster,  August  28<A,  1775. 
'  Dear  Mr.  Burd  : —  *  *  *  i  suppose  the  slight  you  have 
'  received  from  those  from  whom  you  deserved  due  respect,  is  the 
'  reason  of  your  resignation.  However,  say  as  little  about  it  as 
'  possible,  for  fear  of  making  the  breaches  wider,  as  our  family  have 
'  resigned  themselves  to  doing.  I  know  it  is  expected  from  those 
'  who  do  not  muster,  that  they  shall  pay.  Let  us  put  our  trust 
'  in  God,  repent  of  our  sins,  mend  our  lives,  and  pray  to  him  for  a 
'  deliverance  out  of  the  hand  of  our  mui'dering  enemies,  for  the 
'  battle  is  not  to  the  strong.  *  *  *  *  Doctor  Smith  says  that 
'  General  Tryon  has  told  Lord  Dartmouth,  in  a  late  letter,  that  the 
'  measures  of  Parliament  won't  do  ;  they  must  be  stopt.' 

*   ELECTION   OF   FIELD    OFFICERS. 

'  Colonel  James  Burd. 

•  The  election  held  at  Wm.  Dickey's. 

*  September  18th,  1775. 

t  Post,  p.  175. 

X  COL.    euro's   letter   of   RESIGNATION,    TO    GEN.    MIFFLIN. 

'  Tinian,  December  21th,  1776, 
'  Sir  : — I  had  the  honor  to  be  favored  with  your  orders  last  night, 
'  dated  23d  instant,  previous  to  which  I  had  resigned  the  command 
'  of  the  battalion ;  but  this  morning,  by  Capt.  Crouch,  have  for- 
'  warded  your  orders  to  Major  Cornelius  Cox,  who  at  present  com- 
'  mands  the  battalion,  (Lieut.  Col.  Murray  being  taken  prisoner  at 
'  Fort  Washington.)  I  think  it  my  duty  to  give  you  my  reason  for 
'  resignation,  and  the  more  especially  at  this  time  of  public 
'  If  I  had  had  an  opportunity  of  a  personal  conference,  I  think  I 
«  could  have  convinced  you  that  I  not  only  had  reason  for  this  step, 
'  but  a  necessity  for  so  doing.  I  would  inform  you  that  the  space 
•  occupied  by  my  battalion  is  very  long,  between  forty  and  fifty 
'  miles  in  length,  and  broad  withal,  that  it  requires  time  to  commu- 
'  nicate  any  order,  and  inconvenient  to  get  the  whole  battalion  to- 
'  gether,  especially  at  this  season  of  the  year.      However,  in  conse- 


To  return  to  the  child  of  Joseph  and  Abigail  Shippcn, 
next  in  order. 

Anne  SniprEN,  dau.  of  Joseph  and  Abigail  Shippen,  b. 
August  5,  1710;  m.  January  21st,  1731,  to  Charles 
Willing.     He  was  b.  in  Bristol,  England,  May  18, 

'  quence  of  the  orders  you  refer  to,  I  gave  out  orders  for  the 
'■whole  battalion  to  meet  in  their  districts  on  Monday,  the  9th  inst., 
*the  middle  of  which  I  attended  myself:  and  further  dii'ections  for 

*  all  the  oiBcers  of  the  battalion  to  meet  me  at  Garber's  Mill,  on 
'  Tuesday,  the  10th  inst.,  to  make  report  of  their  proceedings.   Ac- 

*  cordingly,  on  Tuesday  they  all  met  me,  and  this  part  was  all  of  the 
'  volunteers  which  were  to  be  found,  upon  which  I  gave  orders  in 
'  writing,  and  sent  them  to  every  company  in  the  battalion,  that  the 
'  whole  battalion  should  rendezvous  at  Middletown  on  Monday,  the 

*  16th  inst.,  in  order  to  march  by  divisions  to  join  General  Wash- 
'  ington ;  and  those  that  were  not  provided  with  arms,  &c.,  I  pro- 
'  mised  to  have  them  provided  at  Philadelphia  ;  that  neither  money 
'  nor  anything  should  be  wanting.    I  attended,  ready  to  march  with 

*  the  battalion  from  Monday,  the  11th,  to  Sunday  night,  the  22d, 

*  and  not  one  man  turned  out  but  ten,  seven  of  whom  were  officers, 
'  myself  included,  (except  a  small  company  of  volunteers  commanded 
'  by  Captain  Bloler,  of  thirty-three,  officers  in  )  whom  I 
'  marched  off.  Least  I  should  stand  in  the  way,  I  thought  proper 
'  to  resign,  offering  at  the  same  time  my  personal  attendance,  and  to 
'  render  any  service,  acceptable,  upon  notice  being  given  me  of  such 
'  being  wanting.     You  will  no  doubt  expect  I  should  give  some  rea- 

*  sons  for  such  conduct  in  the  battalion  at  this  time.  I  cannot  sug- 
'  gest  any,  unless  the  following  may  be  the  reasons  :  that  three  com- 
'  panics  have  already  marched  to  camp,  one  of  which,  viz  :  Captain 
'  James  Murray,  still  remains  there ;  that  Captain  John  Murray  has 
'  one,  which  renders  the  battalion  so  weak,  that  they  have  not  more 
'  or  very  few  men  more  left  than  are  sufficient  to  attend  to  their  cat- 
'  tie,  &c.;  or  a  late  prejudice  against  myself.     I  have  commanded 

*  the  battalion  ever  since  our  troubles  began,  with  pleasure  to  my- 
Vself,  and  to  the  battalion  seemingly,  for  anything  I  knew  to  the 
'  contrary,  and  have  been  able  to  comply  with  all  orders  heretofore 
'  given  me,  which  was  not  the  case  in  the  last  instance  to  which 
'  you  allude  ;  and  from  what  I  have  already  said,  I  make  no  doubt 

*  I  will  stand  unimpeached  in  your  judgment,  and  that  of  my  supe- 
'  rior  officers,  judging  that  you  all  know  that  I  have  done  every 
'  thing  in  my  power.      After  making  an  apology  for  troubling  you 

*  with  such  a  long  scrawl,  I  beg  leave  to  subscribe  myself, 

'  Sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

'JAMES  BURD. 

*  To  the  Hon.  Brig.  Gen.  Thomas  Mifflin. 


1710,  and  d.  in  Pbiladelpliia,  Nov.  30, 1754,  in  which 
place  she  also  d.  June  23,  1790.* 

Charles  WiLLiNa  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Willing,  of 
Bristol,  merchant,  b.  Jan.  16,  1G79,  by  Anne  Harrison,  his 
wife,  whom  he  m.  July  16,  1704.  She  d.  Sept.  11,  1747. 
She  was,  paternally,  the  grand-dau.  of  Gen.  Harrison,  the 
Kegicide,f  and  maternally  the  dau.  of  Dorothy  Mayne,  her- 

'  I  put  it  to  vote  on  the  18th,  if  I  should  not  march  with  them, 
'  and  it  was  carried  against  me  that  I  should  not.  On  Saturday 
'  morning  I  was  on  my  journey  to  go  to  Lancaster  to  see  you.  The 
'  officers  advised  I  should  not  proceed,  but  remain  to  endeavor  to 
'  get  the  battalion  to  march.  This  they  thought  more  advisable  for 
'  the  good  of  the  service.' 

*  The  portraits  of  himself  and  wife  are  in  the  possession  of  Dr. 
Charles  Willing.  There  is  also  a  portrait  of  Mrs.  'Willing  at  Berk- 
ley, on  the  James  River,  Virginia. 

f  As  the  '  Regicide'  is  occasionally  mentioned,  and  as  an  error 
(hereafter  corrected  in  these  pages,)  concerning  the  ancestry  of  the 
late  President  Harrison,  frequently  occurs  in  the  public  prints  or  in 
works  of  standing,  (  e.  g.  the  Jlepublican  Court,)  1  here  print  a  no- 
tice of  him,  in  which  I  have  followed  these  authorities : 

HowelVs  State  Trials.  London,  1816,  vol.  V.  pp.  998,  1008, 
1230,  &c. 

The  High  Court  of  Justice,  by  James  Caidfield.  London,  1820,  pp. 
03,  &c. 

Major  Gen.  Thomas  Harrison  was  born  at  Newcastle-under-Line, 
in  the  coixnty  of  Stafford.  Whatever  was  his  father's  situation  in 
life,  he  did  not  neglect  his  son,  who,  after  receiving  a  grammatical 
education,  was  articled  to  an  attorney,  named  Hocelker,  in  good 
estimation  in  Clifl'ord's  Inn,  who  had  an  employment  under  the 
King,  and  (Lord  Clarendon  says)  discharged  his  duty  faithfully. 
After  serving  his  clerkship,*  Harrison  joined  the  company  of  stu- 
dents in  the  law,  that  became,  under  the  command  of  Sir  Philip 
Stapylton,  guard  to  the  Earl  of  Essex,  the  parliament  general.  He 
rose  gradually  until  he  reached  a  Majority,  and  in  1646,  at  the  sur- 
render of  the  old  Palace  at  Woodstock,  was  one  of  the  Commissioners 
to  receive  it.  He  gained  the  good  opinion  of  Col.  Sydney  (Lord 
Lisle's  son),  at  whose  request  the  Commons,  January,  1646-7,  voted 
that  he  should  accompany  Lord  Lisle,  Sir  John  Temple,  and  Col. 
Sydney  to  Ireland,  where  his  conduct  was  so  meritorious,  that  he 
was  included  in  the  resolution  of  thanks,  and  was  raised  to  a  Colo- 

*  The  Court  sadd  to  hun  on  his  trial,  '  You  are  versed  in  proceedings  of  law.' 


self  the  dau.  of  Simon  Mayne,  auother  of  tlie  Regicitlcs. 
She  was  certainly  a  woman  of  talent  and  of  uncommon  edu- 
cation for  the  times  in  which  she  lived.     Some  verses  of 


nelcy.  He  became  so  conspicuous  that  he  ■was  appointed  one  of  the 
Commissioners  of  the  Army  to  treat  -with  Parliament  as  to  a  good 
understanding  between  them ;  and  had  so  much  interest  tliat,  when 
in  November  following,  his  regiment  threatened  to  mutiny,  he  ob- 
tained their  pardon;  for  Avhich  they  showed  their  gratitude  by  gal- 
lant service  at  Preston,  in  Lancashire,  where  the  Duke  of  Hamilton 
was  defeated. 

When  it  was  decided  to  try  the  King,  Col.  Harrison  was  fixed  upon 
to  bring  him  from  Hurst  Castle  to  Windsor.  Lord  Clarendon  says, 
that  he  received  his  royal  charge  with  all  outward  respect  and 
uncovered;  and,  during  the  entire  journey,  his  conduct  was  digni- 
fied, though  watchful.  He  frustrated  the  King's  attempt  to  escape 
at  Bagshot.  When  Charles,  who  dreaded  assassination,  expressed 
to  him  some  apprehensions  of  secret  violence,  he  answered  '  that, 
'  whatever  the  Parliament  resolved  to  do,  would  be  very  public,  and 
'  in  a  way  of  justice  to  which  the  world  will  be  witness.'  The  part 
he  took  in  the  trial  was  characteristic,  and  he  set  his  hand  and  seal 
to  the  wai'rant  of  execution. 

In  1650  he  became  a  Major  General,  and  was  sent  to  Ireland, 
where  he  again  distinguished  himself;  but  came  over  with  Cromwell 
to  assist  at  the  consultation  with  Fairfax  as  to  his  scruples  about 
commanding  the  army  against  the  Scots,  which  terminated  in  Pair- 
fax's  resignation. 

In  October,  1651,  Harrison  made  a  brilliant  figure  in  drawing  out 
the  train-bands  and  other  bodies  of  men,  to  the  number  of  8,000, 
in  Hj'de  Park,  preparatory  to  his  going  north  with  Cromwell  to  meet 
the  Scots.  At  the  battle  of  Worcester,  his  conduct  gave  the  greatest 
satisfaction  to  the  General  and  the  whole  army. 

In  the  dissolution  of  the  Long  Parliament,  Harrison  was  com- 
pletely duped  by  Cromwell ;  but  soon  discovering  the  abuse  of  his 
friendship  by  him  with  whom  he  had  so  often  fought  and  prayed 
together,  he  instantly  broke  with  him.  Cromwell  regarded  him  as 
a  dangerous  rival  for  power.  Harrison  held  him  as  one  who  had 
betrayed  the  public  trust,  which  made  his  heart  swell  high  for  ven- 
geance. In  December,  1655,  in  consequence  of  his  refusal  to  sub- 
scribe to  the  new  government,  the  Protector  took  his  commission 
from  him  and  sent  him  prisoner  to  Carrisbrook  Castle,  from  which 
he  was  discharged  in  1656;  but  his  opposition  to  the  government 
involved  him  in  new  difficulties,  and  he  was  shortly  after  sent  as  a 
prisoner  to  Pendennis  Castle.  Upon  his  release,  he  joined  Lord 
Grey  of  Groby  in  the  scheme  of  destroying  the  Protector,  siezing 
Monk,  and  erecting  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

At  the  Restoration,  Major  General  Harrison  was  siezed  by  Col. 
Bowyer,  at  the  head  of  a  party  of  the  Staffordshire  militia.     He 


hers,  of  a  religious  cliaracter,  are  yet  extant ;  and  the  hand- 
writing is  remarkably  fine.  The  late  Mr.  Thomas  Willing 
gave  to  his  son-in-law,  Major  Jackson,  a  book  which  had  be- 

might  have  avoided  this,  as  he  knew  what  was  designed  against 
him;  but  'he  considered  it,' he  said,   'an  act  of  desertion  to  the 

•  cause  to  leave  his  house,'  and  so  remained  quietly  awaiting  the 
event.  He  was  conveyed  to  the  Tower,  and  thence  to  Newgate  for 
trial,  having  been  absolutely  excepted  from  pardon  by  a  clause  in 
the  Bill  of  Indemnity,  and  was,  October  10,  1G60,  indicted  as 
Thomas  Harrison,  late  of  Westminster,  in  the  county  of  Middlesex, 
gentleman.  He  defended  himself  exactly  as  might  have  been  ex- 
pected of  a  man  of  his  fearless,  resolute  spirit,  who  had  never 
feared  death.  He  told  the  Court,  that  the  king's  death  was  not  a 
thing  done  in  a  corner,  but  that  the  sound  thereof  had  been  heard 
in  most  nations;  that  he  would  not,  of  himself,  offer  the  least  injury 
to  the  poorest  man  or  woman  that  went  upon  earth ;  but  what  he 
did  was  out  of  conscience  to  the  Lord.  He  maintained  the  authority 
of  the  commissions  under  which  he  acted,  and  instead  of  usurping 
an  authority,  it  was,  he  said,  done  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  The 
Court  here  interrupted  him,  and  Lord  Finch  told  him,  '  he  must  not 
'  be  suffered  to  run  into  these  damnable  excursions  to  make  God  the 

•  author  of  the  damnable  treasons  committed.' 

Nothing  intimidated,  he  argued  then,  that  he  Tiad  done  no  wrong, 
because  the  act  was  authorized  by  Parliament,  to  which  that  Court 
was  inferior,  and  therefore  he  was  not  to  be  questioned  for  it ;  citing 
a  case  alike  to  it  in  Richard  the  Second's  time.  Upon  being  told 
that  '  his  countrymen  would  cry  out  and  shame  him,'  he  answered — 
'  May  be  so,  my  Lords.     Some  will,  but  others,  I  am  sure,  will  not.' 

Every  plea  he  oifered  being  overruled,  the  jury  was  charged  and 
brought  in  a  verdict  of  guilty.  He  was  executed  at  Charing  Cross, 
October  13,  1660.  On  the  scaffold  his  legs  and  hands  trembled ; 
but  he  assured  those  who  noticed  it,  that  it  was  an  infirmity  to 
which  he  had  been  subject  for  twelve  years,  owing  to  the  vast  quan- 
tity of  blood  lost  by  wounds  received  in  the  battles  which  he  had 
fought.  Throughout  his  conduct  he  exhibited  the  greatest  courage  and 
composure.  He  parted  with  his  wife  and  friends  with  great  joy  and 
cheerfulness,  as  he  did  use  to  do  when  going  on  a  journey  or  about 
some  service  of  the  Lord.  He  helped  the  Serjeant  to  adjust  the 
rope.  In  his  speech  from  the  gallows,  he  bade  them  take  notice, 
that  he  was  brought  thither  to  suffer  death  for  being  instrumental 
in  that  cause  'which  God  hath  witnessed  to  my  appeals  and  won- 
'  derful  victories :  and  if  I  had  ten  thousand  lives,  I  could  freely 
'  and  cheerfully  lay  them  down  all,  to  witness  to  this  matter.' 

'  Then  he  was  turned  off,'  says  the  State  Trials,    '  and  was  cut 

'  '  down  alive ;  for  after  his  body  was  opened,  he  mounted  himself, 

'  and  gave  the  executioner  a  box  on  the  ear.'     Ludlow  says — 'He 

'  was  so  barbarously  executed,  that  he  was  cut  down  alive,  and  saw 

'  his  bowels  thrown  into  the  fire.' 


longed  to  her,  and  has  her  autograph  in  it.  It  is  yet  in  Mrs. 
Jackson's  possession.*  Gen.  Harrison's  portrait,  painted  on 
panel  by  Walker,  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Dr.  Charles 
Willing,  who  also  has  one  of  the  mournrng  rings  given  at  the 
funeral  of  Anno  Harrison  jf  another,  and  that  given  at  her 
mother,  Dox'othy  Mayne's  funeral,  are  in  the  possession  of  J. 
Francis  Fisher,  Esq.  This  Thomas  Willing  was  (with  others) 
the  son  of  Joseph  Willing,  also  of  Bristol,  by  his  second  wife, 
Ann  Lowle,  an  heiress,J  whom  he  m.  May  24th,  1676. 

Charles  Willing  came  out  to  this  city  somewhere  about 
the  year  1729,  and  settled  here  as  a  merchant.  He  was 
elected  Mayor  of  the  city  1748,  and  again  1754,  and  died, 
it  is  said,  of  ship-fevei",  contracted  whilst  in  the  discharge 
of  his  official  duties. §  He  was  much  respected  and  esteemed, 

*  The  title  page  is  torn  out ;  index,  as  far  as  preserved,  begins 
with, 
33.  Speeches,  and  his  Majesty's  last  speech  at  his  martyrdom,  with 

many  things  relating  to  his  death. 

II.  Messages,  40 ;  only  21  before  printed — declaration  from  Caris- 
brooke  and  Isle  of  Wight. 

III.  Letters,  36 ;  Answer  to  Commons'  Declaration. 

2.    Concerning  Matters  Sacred. 

1.  Papers  which  passed  between  His  Majesty  and  the.  Ministers  at 
Newport,  about  Episcopacy,  1648,  &c. 

2.  His  prayers. 

Several  things  relating  to  H.  M.  death ;  e.  g.  a  speech  made  ia 
Latin  by  Dr.  Lotius,  &c. 

Verses ;  e.  g.  "A  deep  groan  at  the  funerale,"  &c. 

After  which  follows  a  copy  of  Eikon  Basilke,  &c. 

Re-printed  in  Regis  Memoriam,  for  John  Williams,  1649. 

f  She  died  Sept.  11th,  1747. 

j  The  coat  of  arms  of  the  Lowle  family  was : — Sa.  a  hand  grasp- 
ing three  darts,  one  in  pale,  two  in  saltire,  argent.  Ci-est. — A  demi- 
eagle  erm.  rising,  wings  expanded,  having  a  leaf  of  laurel  in  its 
beak.  The  seal  which  belonged  to  Anne  Lewie's  father,  is  now  in 
Dr.  Willing's  possession. 

^  Epitaph — 

'  If  to  be  all  the  wise  and  good  commend, 

•  The  tender  husband,  father  and  the  friend, 

'  At  home  beloved  and  blest,  esteemed  abroad, 
'  Studious  to  serve  mankind  and  please  his  God ; 
'  If  these  from  death  one  useful  life  could  save, 

♦  Thou  had'st  not  read  that  Willing  fills  the  grave.' 


both  as  a  merchant  and  a  magistrate.  The  mercantile  house 
founded  by  his  brother  Thomas*  and  himself  was,  it  is  said, 
esteemed  the  first  of  its  day  in  the  city;  as  proof  of  which 
is  mentioned  the  facts,  that  Mr.  Morris  presided  at  the 
Merchants'  feast  (p.  232,  j^ost)  given  to  the  Proprietaries, 
and  that  Thomas  Willing  (son  of  Charles)  walked  at  the 
head  of  the  merchants  at  the  famous  '  Federal  Procession,' 
m  1788. 

I.  Thomas  Willing,  b.  Dec.  19, 1731;  d.  19th  January, 
1821;  m.  Anne  McCall,  (ante,  p.  Ixxsviii.)     The  epi- 
taph on   Mr.  Willing's  tombstone,  in  Christ  Church- 
yard, understood  to  be  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Binncy, 
gives  so  copious  yet  condensed  an  outline  of  Mr.  Wil- 
ling's life,  character  and  services,  that  other  comment 
is  unnecessary  herc.f 
'In  memory  of  Thomas  Willing,  Esquire,  born  nine- 
'  teenth  of  December,  1731,  O.  S.;  died  nineteenth  of  Jan- 
'  uary,  1821,  aged  eighty-nine  years  and  thirty  days.      This 
'  excellent  man,  in  all  the  relations  of  private  life,  and  in 
'  various  stations  of  high  public  trust,  deserved  and  acquired 
'  the  devoted   affection  of  his  family  and  friends,  and  the 
'  universal  respect  of  his   fellow  citizens.     From   1754   to 
*  1807,  he  successively  held  the  offices  of  Secretary  to  the 
'  Congress  of  Delegates  at  Albany,  Mayor  of  the  City  of 

*  Thomas  Willing,  son  of  Thomas  of  Bristol,  came  to  this  city 
somewhere  about  the  year  172G,  and  established  the  mercantile  re- 
lations of  which  his  younger  brother  Charles  afterwards  took  charge 
and  enlarged,  as  stated  above.  He  then  returned  to  Bristol, 
where  he  died.  A  miniature  of  him  is  in  possession  of  Mr.  Fisher. 
The  family  Bible  of  .Joseph  Willing  is  in  the  possession  of  the  pre- 
sent JNIr.  Piichard  Willing,  to  whose  father  it  was  given  by  Ann,  dau. 
of  Richard  of  Bristol,  and  grand-dau.  of  Joseph.  This  Thomas  is 
the  person  after  whom  Willington,  now  AVilmington,  Delaware,  was 
originally  called. — 3Jrs.  Montgomery' s  Reminiscences,  p.  172. 

f  Republican  Court,  p.  16. 


^  Philadelphia,  her  representative  in  the  General  Assembly, 
'  President  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  Delegate  to  the  Con- 
'  gress  of  the  Confederation,  President  of  the  first  chartered 
'  Bank  in  America,  and  President  of  the  first  Bunk  of  the 

*  United  States,  With  these  public  duties,  he  united  the 
'  business  of  an  active,  enterprising  and  successful  merchant, 
'  in  which  pursuit,  for  sixty  years,  his  life  was  rich  in  ex- 
'  araples  of  the  influences  of  probity,  fidelity,  and  persevcr- 

*  ance  upon  the  stability  of  commercial  establishments,  and 
'  upon  that  which  was  his  distinguished  reward  upon  earth, 

*  public  consideration  and  esteem.  Ilis  profound  adoration 
'  of  the  Great  Supreme,  and  his  deep  sense  of  dependence 
'  on  His  mercy,  iu  life  and  in  death,  gave  him,  at  the  close 
'  of  his  protracted  years,  the  humble  hope  of  a  superior  one 

*  in  Heaven.'* 

Thomas   Willing   and   Anne    M'Call   had   issue,    (with 
Charles,  George  and  Henry,  d.  infants,) 
1.  Ann,  b.  Aug.  1,  1764;  m.  to  William  Bingham,  Esq., 
U.  S.  Senator  from  Pennsylvania.f     They  had, 

William,  who  resides   in  Paris,  m.   Charlotte, 

Baroness  de  Vaudreuil,  in  her  own  right. 
Anne  Louisa,  m.  to  Lord  Ashburton,  so  well 
known  in  America  as  the  negotiator  of  the 
Webster- Ashburton  Treaty. 
Maria  Matilda,  m.  to  Henry  Baring. 

*  The  discussion  in  Notes  and  Queries  as  to  '  the  fashion  of 
'  Brittainy,'  (XI.  255,)  causes  me  to  note  here,  that,  in  nearly 
every  letter  addressed  by  Mr.  E.  Shippen,  of  Lancaster,  to  his 
nephew  at  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Shippen  begins,  '  Dear  Cousin  Tommy 
WiUing.' 

j-  For  a  full  and  glowing  account  of  Mrs.  Bingham,  one  ■which 
renders  anything  else  here  unnecessary,  see  Dr.  Griswold's  Repub- 
lican Court. 

5* 


Francis  Baring,*  an  eminent  Loudon  raorchant, 
b.  April  18,  1740;  created  Baronet  May  29, 
1793;  m.  1766,  Harriet,  dau.  of 

William  Herring,  Esq.,  of  Croydon,  cousin 
and  co-heir  of  Thomas  Herring,  Archbishop 
of  Canterbury,  by  her  (who  d.  Dec.  3,  1804) 
had  issue,  with  others, 

The  Rt.  Hon.  Alexander  Baring,  2d  son  of 
Sir  Francis  Baring,  Bart.,  b.  Oct.  27,  1774, 
was  raised  to  the  peerage  as  Baron  Ashbur- 
ton,  of  Ashburton,  county  Devon,  April  10, 
1835,  having  held  oiSce  during  the  previous 
four  months  as  President  of  the  Board  of 
Trade  and  Master  of  the  Mint.  He  was  also 
a  Privy  Councillor,  trustee  of  the  British  Mu- 
seum, and  D.  C.  L.  of  Oxford.  He  m.  Aug. 
23,  1798,  Anne  Louisa,  eldest  dau.  of  the 
Hon.  Wm.  Bingham,  of  Philadelphia,  a  Sen- 
ator of  the  United  States,  and  by  her  (who 
d.  Dec.  5,  1848)  had  issue,  five  sons.  He  d. 
May  13,  1848. 

William  Bingham,  pi-esent   Lord    Ashburton, 

(Privy  Councillor,)  b.  June  1799  ;  m.  April, 

1823,  Harriet  Mary,  eldest  dau.   of  George 

John,  Gth  Earl  of  Sandwich,  and  had  a  son, 

Alexander  Montagu,  who  d.  an  infant, 

Feb.  5,  1830. 

Francis,  b.  May  20,  1800;  m.  January,  1833, 
Clara  Hortense,  dau.  of  the  late  Duke  of 
Bassano,  and  has  issue, 

*  Burke's  Peerage. 


1.  Alexander  IIuoii. 

2.  Denzil  Hugh,  and  a  daughter, 
Mary  Louisa  Anne. 

Frederick,  in  lioly  orders,  Rector  of  ItL-liin- 
Stoke,  Hants,  b.  June  31,  1808 ;  ni.  April 
24,  1831,  Frederica  JIary  Catharine,  3d  dau. 
of  John  Ashton,  Esq  ,  of  the  Grange,  county 
Chester,  and  has  issue. 

Alexander,  b.  May  2,  1810,  Lieutenant  II. 
N.;  d  March  12,  1832,  on  board  His  Ma- 
jesty's ship  Alfred,  in  the  Mdditerranean. 

Arthur,  b.  Oct.  8,  1818  ^  d.  at  Madeira,  Feb. 
16,  1838,  unm. 
And  four  daughters, 

Anne  Eugenia,  m.  1823,  to  Humphrey  St, 
John  Mildmay,  Esq.,  and  d.  March  8,  1839. 

Harriet,  m.  to  Henry  Frederick  Thynne,  who 
succeeded  his  father  as  3d   Marquis  of  Bath. 

Louisa, 

Lydia  Emily. 

Henry  Frederick  Thynne,  Capt.  R.  N.,  3d 
Marquis  of  Bath,  b.  jMay  24,  1797 ;  m.  April 
19,  1830,  Harriet,  dau.  of  Lord  Ashburton; 
succeeded  March  27,  1837  ;  d.  June  24, 
1837,  leaving  issue, 

1.  John  Alexander  Thynne,  4th  Mar- 

quis, b.  March  1,  1831. 

2.  Henry  Frederick,  b.  Aug.  2,  1832. 
And  two  daughters, 

Louisa  Isabella  Harriet, 
Alice,  d.  1847. 


Henry,  (8d  son,)  b.  1777;  m.  April  19,  1802, 
Maria  Matilda,  2d  dau.  of  William  Bingham, 
Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  (who  married  2dly, 
the  Marquis  do  Blaisell,  and  d.  1852,)  by 
whom  he  had  issue,  three  sons  and  two 
daughters, 

Henry  Bingham,  M.  P.  for  Marlbo- 
rough, b.  March  4,  1804;  m.  June 
30,  1827,  Lady  Augusta  Brudencll, 
(5th  dau.  of  Robert,  6th  Lord  Car- 
digan,) 3nd  has  issue. 
James  Drummond. 

William    Frederick,    b.    August    12, 

1822;    m.    Nov.    12,    1845,   Emily, 

eldest  dau.  of  Sir  R.  Jenkins,  Gr.  C. 

B.,  and  has  issue. 

Anna    Maria,    m.  to    William    Gordon 

Coesvelt,  Esq. 
Frances    Emily,    m.    Aug.    19,    1830, 
to  Henry  Bridgeman  Simpson,  Esq. 

2.  Charles,  b.  April  7,  1706;  m.  1st,  Rose  Evans,  2d, 

Ann  Hemphill. 

3.  Thomas  Mayne,  b.  April  15,  1767;  m.  Jane  Nixon, 

and  d.  leaving  issue, 

Elizabeth,  m.  to    John    Stirling,  of  Scotland. 
They    have    (with    Andrew,    Elizabeth, 
Dorothea,  Mary,  and  Agnes,  d.  young,') 
Anna,  m.  to  Henry  S.  Cooke. 
Thomas  Mayne,  • 

William, 

John,  killed  at  Inkerman. 
Emma. 


Charles,  (M.  D.,)  m.  Miss  Tillinghast. 
Anne,  m.  to  Mungo  Murray,  of  Liutore,  Scotland. 
Emma,  (uow  deceased,)  m.  to  Capt.  James  Mait- 
land,  R.  N. 
4.  Elizabeth,  b.  March  27,  1768,  still  living;  m.  to  the 
late  Major  "\Vm.  Jackson,  of  the  Revolutionary  aruiy. 
They  had,  (with  others,  d.  youny,') 
Ann, 

Mary  Rigal,  d.  itnm. 
Caroline,  m.  to  Mr.  Philip  Physic. 
William,  m.  Martha  James,  dau.  of  Dr.  Thos. 
C.  James,  d.  s.  ^. 

"  Major  William  Jackson  of  the  Revolutionary  army,  was 
born  in  Cumberland,  England,  March  9th,  1759,  and  was 
brought  to  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  at  an  early  age.  On 
the  paternal  side,  he  was  of  English,  and  on  the  maternal, 
of  Scottish  descent ;  of  a  highly  respectable  ancestry. 

Having  the  misfortune  to  be  left  an  orphan  in  his  child- 
hood, from  the  property  bequeathed  to  him  by  his  father,  un- 
der the  care  of  his  guardian.  Colonel  Owen  Roberts,  he  re- 
ceived a  liberal  and  classical  education,  and  was  enabled  to 
support  himself  as  an  oflBicer  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 

In  June,  1775,  then  in  the  17th  year  of  his  age,  he  en- 
tered, as  a  lieutenant,  the  first  Continental  regiment  of  South 
Carolina  Infantry,  then  commanded  by  Colonel  Christopher 
Gadsden,  in  which  he  continued  to  serve  until  Major  Gene- 
ral Benjamin  Lincoln  assumed  the  command  of  the  southern 
department  of  the  Revolutionary  army,  when,  on  the  recom- 
mendation of  his  friend.  Colonel  Charles  Cotesworth  Pinck- 
ney.  General  Lincoln  appointed  him  his  aid-de-camp,  which 
appointment,  with  that  of  Captain  in  the  above  named  regi- 
ment, he  held  until  the  close  of  the  war. 


Lieutenant  Jackson  was  in  the  expedition  to  Florida,  in 
1778,  when  the  regular  Continental  regiments  under  the 
command  of  General  Howe  of  North  Carolina,  aided  by 
Colonel  Charles  Cotesworth  Pinckney,  and  other  distin- 
guished officers,  marched  from  Charleston,  crossed  the  river 
St.  Mary,  took  possession  of  Fort  Towson,  and  would 
have  proceeded  to  St.  Augustine,  but  the  British  garrison 
there  being  reinforced,  and  their  supplies  of  stores  and  pro- 
visions being  nearly  exhausted,  after  some  skirmishing  with 
the  enemy,  they  were  forced  to  retreat,  which  they  were  ena- 
bled to  do  by  the  coast  navigation,  and  returned  to  Georgia, 
after  enduring  much  suifering  and  privation. 

In  May,  1779,  Lieutenant  Jackson  was  at  the  skirmish  of 
Tulefinny,  and  on  the  20th  of  June  following,  at  the  battle 
of  Stone  Ferry,  at  which  his  guardian,  the  brave  Colonel 
Roberts  was  mortally  wounded.  Before  expiring,  he  took 
an  affectionate  farewell  of  his  son.  Captain  Roberts,  who  was 
in  action  with  him,  and  of  his  ward.  Lieutenant  Jackson. 
Addressing  the  former,  he  said :  '  My  son,  take  my  sword. 
'  Never  sully  it.  Return  to  your  duty,  with  a  father's  bles- 
sing.' 

On  the  9th  of  October,  1779,  Lieutenant,  now  Captain 
Jackson,  being  the  day  on  which  his  commission  as  such 
was  given  by  Congress,  was  again  in  action,  in  the  attack 
made  on  Savannah  by  the  American  and  French  troops,  led 
by  General  Lincoln  and  the  Count  D'Estaing.  During  the 
assault,  which  lasted  an  hour,  the  loss  suffered  by  the  allies 
was  frightful,  they  having  had  nine  hundred  men  killed  and 
wounded.     The  assailants  were  repulsed. 

Captain  Jackson  was  in  the  only  sortie  made  during  the 
siege  of  Charleston,  when  three  hundred  Carolinians  and 
Virginians  led  by  Colonel  John  Laurens  and  Lieutenant 


Colonel  Henderson,  rushed  into  the  British  entrenchments 
with  unloaded  muskets,  the  sword  and  the  bayonet  being 
the  only  weapons  used,  and  after  a  sanguinary  conflict  in 
which  fifteen  or  twenty  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  and  some 
few  made  prisoners,  succeeded  in  regaining  the  American 
lines,  having  had  the  misfortune  to  have  Captain  Moultrie, 
brother  of  Colonel  Moultrie,  slain,  and  to  lose  two  of  their 
men. 

Captain  Jackson  was  at  the  siege  of  Charleston,  when 
General  Lincoln,  after  a  gallant  defence  of  six  weeks,  was 
obliged  to  capitulate,  and  surrender  the  city  on  the  12th  of 
May,  1780,  but  not  until  they  had  experienced  the  horrors 
of  famine,  the  works  had  been  pronounced  untenable  by 
General  Du  Portail,  and  every  effort  of  patriotism  and  cour- 
age had  been  exerted  by  the  intrepid  Lincoln,  and  the 
troops  under  his  command.  So  near  had  the  British  ap- 
proaches been  brought,  that  Colonel  Parker,  of  the  Virginia 
line,  was  shot,  leaning  on  the  parapet,  as  Major  Jackson, 
who  now  ranked  as  such  in  his  capacity  of  aid-de-camp,  was 
in  the  act  of  delivering  him  an  order  from  General  Lincoln. 

After  the  capitulation  of  Charleston,  General  Lincoln  and 
Major  Jackson,  (who  were  prisoners  on  parol,)  by  order  of 
General  Washington,  attended  as  commissioners  for  the  ex- 
change of  prisoners,  and  among  others  negotiated  their  own 
and  that  of  Colonel  John  Laurens,  who,  soon  after,  was  ap- 
pointed special  Minister  to  France,  and  Major  Jackson  ap- 
pointed Secretary  to  the  Mission. 

On  the  9th  of  February,  1781,  Colonel  Laurens  and  Ma- 
jor Jackson  embarked  at  Boston,  in  the  frigate  Alliance, 
Captain  Barry. 

Colonel  Laurens  was  completely  successfulin  effecting  the 


object  of  his  mission.*  Owing  to  his  ability  and  energy, 
he  obtained  from  the  French  government  a  large  loan,  am- 
ple supplies  of  clothing  and  military  stores,  and  the  co-ope- 
ration of  the  French  fleet  under  the  command  of  the  Count 
de  Grasse,  which  contributed  to  the  capture  of  Lord  Corn- 
wallis,  and  the  surrender  of  Yorktown,  in  October,  1780. 

Colonel  Laurens,  after  the  object  of  his  mission  was  at- 
tained, returned  to  America,  and  was  present  at  the  surren- 
der of  Yorktown,  where  he  greatly  distinguished  himself  in 
storming  a  redoubt. 

According  to  instructions  from  Colonel  Laurens,  Major 
Jackson  proceeded  to  Amsterdam  to  receive  the  funds,  which 
Mons.  Necker  had  sent  there,  and  to  superintend  the  pur- 
chase and  shipment  of  the  clothing  and  military  stores,  all 
of  which  arrived  safely  in  America. 

How  Major  Jackson  executed  the  trust  confided  to  him 
by  Colonel  Laurens,  a  letter  of  the  late  John  Adams,  after- 
wards President,  which  was  published  in  the  Boston  Patriot, 
of  the  14th  of  April,  1810,  will  show.f 

*  The  American  Review,  Vol.  I,  p.  425,  contains  an  account  of 
the  proceedings  of  Colonel  Laurens  in  France,  from  the  pen  of  Ma- 
jor Jackson,  Secretary  to  the  Mission. 

f  Amsterdam,  JMwe  27,  1787 — wrote  Congress:  ' Major  Jackson 
'  has  been  sometime  here,  in  pursuance  of  instructions  from  Colonel 
'  Laurens,  in  order  to  dispatch  the  purchase  of  the  goods,  and  the 
'  shipping  of  the  goods  and  cash  for  the  United  States,  which  are  to 

*  go  by  the  South  Carolina.     But  when  all  things  appeared   to  be 

*  ready,  I  received  a  letter  from  his  excellency  Dr.  Franklin,  inform- 
'  ing  me  that  he  feared  his  funds  would  not  admit  of  his  accepting 

*  bills  for  more  than  15  thousand  pounds  stl.  The  accounts  of  the 
'  Indian  and  the  goods  amounted  to  more  than  fifty  thousand  pounds, 
'  which  shewed  that  there  had  not  been  an  understanding  sufficiently 
'  precise  and  explicit  between  the  Dr.  and  the  Colonel.  There  was, 
'  however,  no  remedy  but  a  journey  to  Passy,  which  Major  Jackson 

*  undertook,  dispatched  the  whole  business,  and  returned  to  Amster- 

*  dam  in  seven  days.     So  that  I  hope  there  will  be  no  more  delays. 

*  Major  Jackson  has  conducted,  through  the  whole  of  his  residence 
'  here,  as  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  observe,  with  great  activity  and 

*  accuracy  in  business,  and  an  exemplary  zeal  for  the  public  service.' 


After  the  business  in  which  ho  had  been  engaged  was 
completed,  Major  Jackson  returned  to  America,  and  was  ap- 
pointed Assistant  Secretary  at  War,  his  revered  friend,  Gen- 
eral Lincoln  being  the  Secretary  of  that  Department,  which 
office  he  held  until  the  peace  of  1783.  As  the  f'ar  had  now 
ceased,  and  he  had  attained  his  24:th  year,  he  was  desirous 
of  pursuing  some  business  as  a  future  means  of  support,  and 
with  this  view  tendered  his  resignation  to  General  Lincoln, 
which  was  accepted  in  a  most  kind  letter.* 

Soon  after,  Major  Jackson  sailed  for  Europe,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  making  arrangements  for  entering  into  commercial 
business  in  this  country,  on  his  return.  On  informing  Gene- 

*  '  GENEBAL    LINCOLN   TO    MAJOR   JACKSON. 

'Princeton,  Oct.  30th,  1783. 

'  I  was  this  morning  honored,  my  clear  friend,  with  the  receipt  of 
'  your  letter  of  this  date,  purporting  your  wish  to  resign  the  office  of 
'  Assistant  Secretary  at  War. 

'  While  my  own  ease  and  convenience,  in' a  tone  loud  and  explicit, 
*  caution  me  against  complying  with  your  request,  the  more  silent 
'and  pursuasive  voice  of  friendship  and  justice  prevails,  and  tells 
*me  (that)  I  must  sacrifice  the  former  to  your  interest  and  happi- 
'  ness-,  and  that  I  must,  however  reluctlantly,  as  your  future  pros- 
'pects  in  life  are. involved  in  the  measure,  accept  your  resignation. 

'  Permit  me,  my  dear  sir,  before  I  take  leave  of  you,  to  return  you 
'  my  warmest  thanks  for  your  meritorious  services  in  the  field  as  my 
'  aid-de-camp,  as  well  as  for  those  you  have  rendered  as  my  assistant 
'  in  the  War  Office.  Those  services,  I  have  the  pleasure  to  assure 
« you,  have  been  seen  also,  acknowledged  and  approved  by  your 
'  country.  Besides,  I  have  enjoyed  real  satisfaction  in  your  private 
'  friendship.  Your  faithfulness  and  integrity  have  hourly  increased 
'  my  aflection  and  esteem  for  you. 

'  Adieu,  dear  friend.     That  the  best  of  Heaven's  blessings  may 
'  encircle  you,  that  your  path  in  life  may  be  smooth  and  prosperous, 
'  your  coui-se  through  it  easy  and  happy,  and  that  you  may  finally 
'  smile  in  unceasing  bliss,  is  the  prayer  of 
'  Dear  sir, 

'  Your  affectionate  friend, 

'B.  LINCOLN. 

'  Major  Jackson.' 


ral  Washington  of  his  intentions,  he  received  letters  from 
him  addressed  to  persons  abroad.* 

After  his  return  to  America,  he  was  but  a  short  time  in 
business,  when  by  the  advice  of  friends,  favored  by  his  own 
inclinations,*he  determined  to  study  law,  which  he  did  with 
that  eminent  jurist,  the  late  William  Lewis,  of  Philadel- 
phia, on  whose  motion  he  was  admitted  to  practice  law  in 
the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and  subsequently  in  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  Pennsylvania.  In  the  year  1787,  he  was 
elected  Secretary  to  the  Convention  which  formed  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States. 

On  making  known  to  General  Washington  his  desire  to 
enter  on  the  pursuit  of  his  profession,  Major  Jackson  re- 
ceived the  following  letter  from  the  Father  of  his  Country.^ 

*  One  of  these  was  not  delivered. 

^Princeton,   Nov.  \st,  1783. 
'  Dear  Sir  : — Major  Jackson  has  just  informed  me  of  his  inten- 
'  tion  to  embark  next  week  for  Europe.     Tho'  he  has  already  had 
'  the  honor  to  be  introduced  to  you,  I  could  not  let  him  depart  with- 
'  out  expressing  my  esteem  for  his  character,  and  my  wish  that  he 
'  may  experience  any  civilities  it  may  be  in  your  power  to  show  him. 
'  With  the  most  respectful  attachment,  I  have  the  honor  to  be 
'  Your  Excellency's  most  ob't  and  humble  serv't, 

'G.  WASHINGTON, 
*His  Excellency,  Doct.  Franklin.' 

f   'Philadelphia,  Dec  26ih,  1791. 

*  Dear  Sir  : — At  the  same  time  that  I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
'  your  intention  to  enter  upon  a  professional  pursuit,  and  during  the 

*  ensuing  term  propose  yourself  for  admittance  as  a  practitioner  of 
'  law  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  I  beg  you 
'  to  be  persuaded  that  my  best  wishes  will  accompany  you  in  that,  or 
'  in  any  other  walk  of  life  into  which  your  interest  or  inclination 
'  may  lead  you. 

'  That  your  determination  is  the  result  of  the  best  view  you  have 

*  of  your  circumstances  and  expectations,  I  take  for  granted,  and 
'  therefore  shall  say  nothing  which  might  embarrass  the  decision ; 
'  but  with  pleasure  equal  to  the  justice  of  it,  shall  declare  to  you 
'  that  your  deportment,  so  far  as  it  has  come  under  my  observation, 
'  has  been  regulated  by  principles  of  integrity  and  honor,  and  that 
'  the  duties  of  your  station  have  been  executed  with  abilities,  and  I 
'  embrace  the  occasion  your  address  has  affoi'ded  me,  to  thank  you 


After  the  organization  of  the  government,  General  Wash- 
ington, then  President  of  the  United  States,  invited  him  to 
join  his  family  as  his  aid-de-camp  and  private  secretary,  in 
which  situation  he  remained  with  him  until  the  year  1793, 
accompanying  him  in  his  tour  through  the  States. 

Major  Jackson,  after  leaving  the  President's  family,  was 
induced  to  defer  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  to  embark 
again  for  Europe,  early  in  the  year  1795,  on  an  agency  for 
the  sale  of  lands  for  Mr.  Bingham,  which  he  successfully 
transacted,  remaining  abroad  for  this  purpose  nearly  two 
years.  On  his  return  to  Philadelphia,  he  was  married  on 
the  11th  of  November,  1795,  to  the  beautiful  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Willing,  sister  of  Mrs.  Bingham,  to  whom  he  had  been 
engaged  for  many  years. 

On  the  14th  of  January,  1796,  President  Washington 
appointed  Major  William  Jackson  surveyor  of  the  Port  of 
Philadelphia,  which  office  he  held  under  the  adminis- 
tration of  his  illustrious  Chief,  and  during  the  Presidency 
of  Mr.  John  Adams,  without  reproach,  until  removed  by 
President  Jefferson  for  his  political  adherence  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  Washington. 

One  allegation  made  by  Mr.  Jefferson  for  removing  Ma- 
jor Jackson  from  office,  was  that  he  had  influenced  the  vo- 
ting of  the  subordinates  in  the  Custom  House.  An  original 
paper  signed  by  all  those  officers,  and  now  in  the  possession 
of  his  widow,  is  a  complete  refutation  of  the  charge. 

'  for  all  your  attentions,  and  for  the  services  which  yon  have  rendered 
'  me  since  you  have  been  a  member  of  my  family.    Let  your  dcpart- 
'  ure  from  it  be  made  perfectly  convenient  to  yourself,  and  believe 
*  me  to  be  with  sincere  esteem  and  regard, 
'  Dear  sir, 

'  Your  affectionate,  humble  serv't, 

'GEO.  WASHINGTON. 
'  Major  Jackson.' 


The  opinion  Mr.  Jefferson  entertained  of  the  capacity  and 
patriotism  of  Major  Jackson,  is  shown  in  a  letter  which  he 
sent  to  him  on  hearing  of  his  intention  of  visiting  Europe. 
It  was  not  presented,  which  accounts  for  its  being  in  pos- 
session of  Mrs;  Jackson,  and  when  Mr.  Jefferson  dis- 
placed him,  there  was  no  more  reason  to  doubt  his  capacity, 
patriotism,  or  fidelity  in  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office, 
than  when  this  letter  was  written. 

For  several  years  succeeding  his  removal  from  office.  Ma- 
jor Jackson  was  the  editor  of  the  Political  and  Commercial 
Register,  a  paper  devoted  to  the  maintenance  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Federalists,  and  the  policy  of  Washington,  and 
adverse  to  the  acts  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  during  his  Presidency. 

Major  Jackson's  companions  in  arms  and  associates  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Society  of  the  Cincinnnati,  having  confidence 
in  his  ability  to  do  justice  to  the  subject,  called  on  him  to 
deliver  an  oration  in  commemoration  of  Independence,  as 
early  as  the  4th  July,  1786.  It  was  spoken  in  the  Re- 
formed Calvinistic  Church,  north  Fourth  street,  in  Phila- 
delphia, to  a  crowded  audience,  who  expressed  their  satis- 
faction at  the  manner  in  which  the  honor  conferred  on  him, 
was  performed.* 

*  '3Iount  Vernon,  28th  Sept.,  1786. 

'  Dear  Sir  : — I  have  received  your  lettei-  of  the  2Uth  ult.,  together 
'  with  the  Pamphlets  enclosed.  I  consider  your  sending  the  latter  to 
'  me  as  a  marli  of  attention  which  deserves  my  warmest  acknow- 
'  ledgments. 

'  1  cannot  join  with  you  in  thinking  that  tie  partiality  of  your 
'friends,  in  assigning  to  you  so  honorable  a  task,  prejudiced  their 
'discernment.  The  subject  is  noble,  the  field  extensive,  and  I  think 
'  it  must  be  highly  satisfactory,  and  indeed  flattering  to  a  man,  that 
'  his  performance  upon  such  an  occasion,  is  approved  of  by  men  of 
'  taste  and  judgment. 

'  With  sentiments  of  great  esteem  and  regard,  I  am 
'  Dear  sir, 

'  Your  obd't,  humble  serv't, 

'Major  Jackson.  'G.WASHINGTON. 


cxvii 

In  the  same  Church,  as  Secretary  General  of  the  Society 
of  the  Cincinnati,  Major  Jackson,  at  the  request  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  delivered  his  eulo- 
gium  on  the  character  of  the  great  Washington,  before  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  the  members  of  both  hofises 
of  Congress,  Mr.  Listen,  the  British  Minister,  other  diplo- 
matic characters,  and  a  large  assemblage  of  the  military, 
citizens  and  ladies,  the  church  being  filled  to  its  utmost 
capacity. 

This,  like  the  oration,  was  much  commended,  and  like  it, 
at  the  request  of  the  Society  of  Cincinnati,  was  published. 
The  public  prints  spoke  of  it  as  an  eloquent  production, 
and  the  author  received  numerous  testimonials  from  those 
who  were  present,  and  from  absent  friends  to  whom  he  trans- 
mitted the  pamphlet.*  Among  which,  was  a  letter  from  his 
father-in-law,  Mr.  Thomas  Willing. 

In  the  years  1818  and  1819,  his  brother  oflScers  of  the 
Revolutionary  army  appointed  him  their  Solicitor  to  Con- 
gress, to  obtain  for  them  an  equitable  settlement  of  the  half 
pay  for  life.  Although  not  successful  in  effecting  his  object, 
owing  to  the  very  important  and  exciting  bills  then  iinder 
consideration  by  Congress,  he  transacted  the  business  en- 
trusted to  his  care  with  zeal  and  ability,  and  received  many 
gratifying  letters  from  various  members  of  Congress,  from 
different  sections  of  the  Union,  I'cgretting  the  fate  of  his 
application,  and  expressive  of  the  manner  in  which  he  had 
conducted  his  agency.  Among  them  are  letters  from 
Greneral  Harrison,  late  President  of  the  United  States,  and 
several  of  his  friends,  and  the  warm  friends  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary officers,  the  late  Hon.  John  Sergeant  of  Philadel- 

*  See  also  post,  letters,  p.  308. 


phia;  all  evincing  that  Major  Jackson,  late  in  life,  re- 
tained the  talent  and  energy  which  had  characterized  his 
eai'ly  years. 

On  the  arrival  of  General  Lafayette  in  Philadelphia,  Ma- 
jor-Jackson, at  the  request  of  the  Pennsylvania  Society  of 
the  Cincinnati  and  of  the  citizens,  delivered  two  addresses, 
one  at  12,  the  other  at  1  o'clock,  in  the  Hall  of  Indepen- 
dence, to  our  country's  distinguished  friend  and  guest, 
which  were  approved  by  those  who  had  entrusted  the  grate- 
ful duty  to  him,  and  responded  to  with  feeling  by  General 
Lafayette. 

After  Major  Jackson's  death,  which  took  place  in  Phila- 
delphia on  the  17th  of  December,  1828,  the  Pennsylvania 
Society  of  the  Cincinnati  passed  a  resolution  to  wear  crape 
on  the  left  arm  for  thirty  days,  and  a  similar  tribute  was 
passed  to  his  memory  by  the  State  Society  of  South  Carolina. 

Major  Jackson  had  the  power,  in  a  remarkable  degree,  of 
attaching  and  retaining  the  friendship  of  his  early  friends 
and  associates,  during  life,  and  his  character  was  such  as  to 
justify  their  attachment  to  him.  As  a  husband,  father, 
friend  and  citizen,  he  was  ever  kind,  faithful,  indulgent,  sin- 
cere and  patriotic." 

5.  Mary,  b.  Sept.  15,  1770;  m.  to  Henry  Clymer,  and 

had  issue. 

6.  Dorothy,  b.  July  16,  1772;  m.  to  Thomas  Willing 

Francis,  already  spoken  of. 

7.  George,  b.  April  14, 1774 ;  m.  1st,  Maria  Benezet,  who 

d.  s.  p.;  2d,  Rebecca  Blackwell,  only  child  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Blackwell,  for  many  years  Rector  of 
St.  Peter's  Church,  in  this  city.  She  was  a  lady  of  rare 
virtues,  of  remarkable  judgment,  and  great  beauty. 
She  d.  May  12,  1852.     He  d.  leaving, 


Maria,  m.  to  her  cousin,  the  late  Willing  Francis, 
son  of  Thomas  Willing  Francis. 

Harriet,  m.  to  the  late  Henry  Ralston. 

Rebecca,  m.  to  George  P.  Thomson. 

Eliza  Moore,  m.  to  Joseph  Swift,  (as  already 
mentioned.) 

Dorothy,  m.  to  J.  W.  Wallace. 

Charles,  m.  Miss  Watson. 

8.  Richard,  b.  Dec.  25,  1775;  m.  Eliza  Moore. 

9.  AfiiaAiL,  b.  May  16, 1777 ;  m.  to  Richard  Peters,  better 

known  to  the  legal  fraternity  as  Reporter  to  the  U.  S. 
Supreme  Court.     They  had, 

Nancy  Ringham, 

Sarah, 

Frank,  m.  Maria  Millar. 

Eliza,  m.  to  John  W.  Field. 

10.  William  Shippen,  b.  Feb.  6, 1779 ;  m.  Maria  Peters, 

and  had, 

Richard  P.  and 

Maria,  m.  to  Rev.  John  Spotswood.* 

11.  Ann,  dau.  of  Charles  Willing  and  Anne  Shippen,  b. 

July  16,  1733 ;  m.  to  Tench  Francis,  as  already  stated. 
'She  was  beautiful,  amiable  and  accomplished,'  says 
an  old  Bible-entry. 

III.  Charles,  b.  May  30, 1738 ;  was  a  merchant  in  Barba- 
does  for  many  years,  where  he  m.  May  24,  1760, 
Elizabeth  H.  Carrington,  of  that  place.     He  returned 

*  A  descendant  of  Sir  Alexander  Spotswood,  the  famous  Governor 
of  Virginia;  from  whom  also  descended  Mrs.  Gen.  Washington, 
Mrs.  Patrick  Henry,  and  others. 


to  Pennsylvania,  and  d.  at  Coventry  farm  in  Delaware 
county,  March  21,  1788.*     They  had, 

Elizabeth  Gt.,  b.  Sept.  30,  1764;  m.  to  John 
Forster  Alleyne,  of  Barbadoes.  They  went 
to  England  to  live,  and  had, 

Haynes  Gibbes,  John  Gay,  James 
Holder,  Charles,  Sarah,  Eliza- 
beth, Charlotte  and  Margaret.-j- 
Ann,  b.  Aug.  25,  1767;  m.  to  Luke  Morris,  of 
Philadelphia.  Luke  Morris  was  descended 
from  Anthony  Morris,  b.  at  St.  Dunstan, 
Stepney,  London,  Aug.  23,  1654,  who  emi- 
grated to  Pennsylvania  1683.  His  son  An- 
thony, b.  in  London,  1682,  was  the  father  of 
Anthony  Morris,  b.  in  Philadelphia,  1705 ; 
m.  (his  second  wife)  Elizabeth  Hudson,  a 
descendant  of  Edward  Hudson,  a  brother  of 
Hendrik  Hudson,  the  navigator  and  disco- 
verer, and  by  her  had  (with  others)  Luke, 
above  mentioned.  They  had,  (with  Ann,  d. 
unm.,  Elizabeth  Carbington,  and  Mar- 
garetta  Hare,) 

Abby  Willing,  m.  to  Justus  Johnson. 
Thomas  Willing,  who  m.  Caroline  Maria, 
dau.  of  George  Calvert,  of  Riversdale, 
Prince  George  county,  Maryland. 
George  Calvert  was  a  son  of  Benedict 
Calvert,  who  was  a  son  of  Charles, 

*  His  portrait  by  West,  the  first  professional  performance  of  that 
artist,  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Charles  Willing  Littell,  at  Elton, 
Germantown. 

f  Betham's  Baronetage,     s.  v.  Alleyne. 


Lord  Baltimore,  and  half-brotber  of 
Frederick,  the  last  Lord  Baltimore. 
He  d.  12tli  May,  1852.    She  d.  25th 
Nov.,  1842,  leaving 
EOSALIE  E., 

Anna  M.,  m.  to  Francis  K.  Mur- 
ray, of  Maryland. 
George  C, 
Julia  M. 
Susan  Sophia,  m.  to  John  S.  Littell.     Of 
his  family  I  have  the  following  infor- 
mation : 
The  ancestors  of  Mr.  Littell,  on  the  father's  side,  were 
among  the  earliest  settlers  of  East  Jersey.     They  came 
from  Essex  county,  England,  and  were  among  the  founders 
of  Esses  county,  N.  J. ;  so  called  in  remembrance  of  the 
fatherland.     To  the  period  of  the  Revolution  they  were, 
generally,  occupied  in   agricultural  pursuits.     The   grand- 
father of  Mr.  Littell  was  a  Captain  of  artillery  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary army,  in  which  he  continued  throughout  the  war, 
participating  in  thirteen  skirmishes,  and  taking  part,  with 
his  command,  in  the  battles  of  Springfield,  N.  J.,  German- 
town,  Monmouth,  Trenton  and  Princeton.    At  the  battle  of 
Springfield,  at  '  LittelVs  Bridge,'  he  derived  especial  eclat 
for  conduct  and  intrepidity,  and  the  effectiveness  with  which 
he  managed  a  single  piece  of  artillery,  keeping  the  enemy, 
iinder  Knyphausen,  in  check,  and  compelling  them,  finally, 
to  retire. 

For  his  services  during  the  war,  Capt.  Littell  received  no 
remuneration ;  nor  has  any  ever  been  received,  or  applied 
for,  by  his  descendants,  although  it  might  have  been  rea- 
sonably claimed,  for,  apart  from  his  services,  he  devoted  his 
6 


■whole  patrimony  to  the  cause.  He  reentered  the  army,  with 
his  Captain's  commission,  at  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary 
war,  and  marched,  under  Gen.  St.  Clair,  in  his  unfortunate 
expedition  against  the  North-western  Indians.* 

The  mother  of  Mr.  Littell  was  the  youngest  daughter  of 
Thomas  Gardiner,  and  Susan  Elton,  daughter  of  Anthony 
Elton,  whose  grandfather  emigrated  from  England,  it  is  be- 
lieved, in  1697.  He  was  an  earnest  member  of  the  Esta- 
blished Church  of  that  country,  and,  with  many  of  his  de- 
scendants, lies  in  the  cemetery  of  old  St.  Mary's,  at  Bur- 
lington. The  ancestors  of  his  mother,  Susan  Gardiner,  were 
among  the  earliest  settlers  of  "West  Jersey  j  and  very  fre- 
quent mention  is  made  of  them  in  Smith's  History  of  New 
Jersey.  The  first  Thomas  Gardiner  arrived  at  Burlington 
in  the  year  1676,  from  England.  He  was  a  substantial  Qua- 
ker, one  of  the  founders  of  the  City  of  Burlington,  and  a 
'  Proprietor  of  '  West  Jersey,'  and  held  an  honorable  place 
in  the  government.  He  was,  for  many  years,  a  member  of  the 
Governor's  Council.  He  died  in  September,  1694.  Smith,  in 
Chap.  XII.,  Hist.  N.  J.,  records  as  follows  : — 'In  September, 
'  1694,  died  Thomas  Gardiner.  He  arrived  early  at  Bur- 
'  lington,  went  through  several  public  stations  in  West  Jer- 
'  sey  with  a  good  character,  had  considerable  knowledge  in 
'  variety  of  business,  and  was  an  exemplary  member  of 
'  society,  civil  and  religious.' 

On  page  401  of  Smith's  History,  the  death  of  the  son  of 
the  above,  is  thus  recorded  : — 

'In  1712  died  Thomas  Gardiner,  of  Burlington,  several 

*  The  family  coat  of  arms  is  as  follows : — Sa.  a  pillar  ducally 
crowned,  or.  between  two  wings  expanded,  and  joined  to  the  base 
of  the  last.  Crest :  a  cock,  statant,  on  an  arrow,  or.  combed  and 
wattled  gu.  See  Edmonston' 3  '  Complete  Body  of  Heraldry,'  and  also 
Wa^hbotirnit  '  Book  of  Family  Creits. ' 


'  times  mentioned  before.  He  was  well  acquainted  with 
<  public  business,  a  good  surveyor,  and  useful  member  of 
'  society :  several  years  one  of  the  Council,  Treasurer  of  the 
'  Western  division,  and  the  first  Speaker  of  Assembly  after 
'  the  union  of  the  governments  of  East  and  "West  Jersey.' 

Proud,  in  the  '  Introduction'  to  his  '  History  of  Pennsyl- 
'  vania,'  says  : — '  Thomas  Gardiner  was  a  man  of  eminence 
'  among  the  Quakers  and  early  settlers  in  Burlington  and 
'  West  Jersey.  He  served  in  several  public  offices,  in  the 
'  government,  with  honor  and  fidelity ;  was  very  skilful  in 
'  a  variety  of  business ;  a  good  surveyor,  and  a  very  useful 
'  member  of  society ;  several  years  one  of  the  Council,  Trea- 
'  surer  of  the  Western  division,  and  first  Speaker  of  the 
'  Assembly,  after  the  union  of  the  governments  of  East  and 
'West  Jersey,  in  1703.  He  died  at  Burlington,  in  1712.' 
— Proud' s  Hist.  Penna.  pp.  159-GO. 

Speaking  of  the  religious  state  of  the  early  Quaker  settlers 
of  West  Jersey,  Proud  further  says  : — '  Before  a  house  was 
'  built  in  the  place,  they  constantly,  at  stated  times,  held 
'their  religious  meetings  under  a  tent,  covered" with  sail- 
'  cloth,  till  John  Woolston  had  got  his  house  ready,  which 
'  was  the  first  framed  house  in  Burlington ;  at  whose  house, 
'  and  that  of  Thomas  Gardiner,  they  afterwards  continued 
'  to  hold  their  meetings,  both  for  Divine  worship,  and  the 
'  discipline  or  order  of  their  religious  society,  till  a  suitable 
'  meeting-house  was  built  for  that  purpose.'  And  he  adds, 
*  Among  the  women  of  worthy  and  eminent  character  in  the 
'  same  society,  at  this  time,  appear  to  have  been  Elizabeth 
'  Gardiner,  Sarah  Biddle,'  &c.  <!cc.  kc 


IV.  Dorothy,  m.  to  Capt.,  afterwards  Sir  Walter  Stirling, 
R.N. 

A  pedigree,*  beginning  witli  '  Willielmus,  filius  Thoraldi, 
'  who  had  the  lands  of  Calder  in  the  reign  of  David  I,  who 
'  came  to  the  Throne  in  1224,'  traces  the  family  down  to 
Sir  Walter  Stirling,  of  Faskine,  in  the  county  of  Lanerk, 
Knt.,  a  captain  in  the  Eoyal  navy.  He  was  advanced  to  the 
rank  of  a  lieutenant  in  the  navy  in  1745-6 ;  and  commanded 
a  sloop  of  war  in  1757;  in  1759  he  was  promoted  to  he  a 
post  captain,  and  appointed  to  the  Lynn,  a  forty-gun  ship, 
and  employed  in  that  ship  as  a  cruiser  till  1761,  when  he 
removed  into  the  Lowestoffe,  a  new  ship,  mounting  twenty- 
four  guns,  and  in  the  month  of  May,  1762,  destroyed  two 
of  the  enemy's  prames,  off  Gravelines,  after  killing  and 
wounding  a  considerable  number  of  the  persons  on  board. 
His  first  command,  after  the  peace,  was  in  1763,  when  he 
was  appointed  to  the  Eainbow,  of  forty  guns,  and  ordered 
to  North  America,  where  he  continued  till  1766,  in  which 
year  he  returned  to  England ;  he  was  then  out  of  commis- 
sion till  1770,  when  he  was  appointed  to  the  Dunkirk,  of 
sixty  guns,  as  captain  to  Commodore  Mackenzie,  who  com- 
manded on  the  Jamaica  station.  He,  in  1771,  removed  from 
the  Seaford,  to  the  Portland,  of  fifty  guns,  and  soon  after 
returned  to  England,  and  was  paid  off  in  1772.  In  1778, 
he  was  appointed  a  regulating  captain  on  the  impress  service; 
and  at  the  end  of  the  year  1780  was  made  captain  of  the 
Gibraltar,  of  eighty  guns,  one  of  the  squadron  sent  to  the 
West  Indies,  under  the  orders  of  Sir  Samuel  Hood,  to  re- 
inforce Lord  Rodney.  The  expedition  against  the  Dutch 
island,  St.  Eustatia,  taking  place  soon  after  his  arrival  on 

*  Betham's  Baronetnge,  180.". 


that  station,  he  was  chosen  to  he  the  welcome  messenger  of 
the  success,  and  in  conscf|ucnce  received  the  honor  of  knight- 
hood ;  in  the  summer  of  1781,  he  was  appointed  comman- 
der, with  the  rank  of  Commodore  at  the  Nore,  and  hoisted 
his  hroad  penant  first  on  board  the  Conquestador,  and  after- 
wards removed  into  the  Prince  Edward,  of  sixty  guns ;  he 
quitted  this  command  before  the  end  of  the  year  1782,  and 
in  the  same  year  was  appointed  to  the  Duke,  of  eighty  guns, 
under  Admiral  Kempcnfelt.  Soon  after  the  action  with  the 
French,  with  an  inferior  force,  they  captured  many  trans- 
ports full  of  troops  bound  for  India.  He  married  Dorothy, 
daughter  of  Charles  Willing,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
Anne  Shippen  ;*  she  died  in  1782,  aged  45,  was  buried  at 
Drumpellier,  near  Glasgow ;  he  died  in  1786,  buried  in  a 
vault,  at  Hammondsworth,  in  Middlesex,  in  the  sixty-ninth 
year  of  his  age,  having  had  issue, 

1.  Sir  Walter,  created  a  Baronet,  Nov.  30, 1800. 

2.  Charles,  a  captain  in  the  navy,f  appointed 

commissioner  of  the  navy  at  Jamaica,  in 
June,  1803,  who  married  Charlotte,  second 
daughter  of  Andrew  Grote,  Esq.,  of  Black- 
heath,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  and  a  banker 
in  London,  and  had 
Charles, 

*   COL.    SHIPPEN   TO    COL.    BTTED,    AT   FORT   AUGUSTA. 

^  Pldladelphia,  Aug.  11th,  17G3. 

'Dear  Brother : —  *  *  *  i  heartily  congratulate  you  on 
'  the  safe  arrival  of  our  worthy  friend  Wm.  Allen,  Esq.,  'with  his 
'  two  fine  daughters,  in  England,  after  an  agreeable  passage  of  six 
'weeks.  They  landed  at  Portsmouth,  on  the  12th  June.  This 
'  news  we  received  yesterday  by  the  packet. 

'  We  also  learn  that  Captain  Stirling  and  his  lady  were  to  sail  the 
'  middle  of  June  in  a  frigate  for  the  Virginia  station,  and  that  Mr. 
'  Lardner  had  taken  his  passage  in  her.     *     *     * 

f  He  was  a  prisoner  dui-iug  the  Revolution,  post,  283. 


Andrew, 

W.  Frederick, 

J.  Francis, 

C.  POROTHEA. 

3.  Anne,  who  married  her  first  cousin,  Andrew 
Stirling,  of  Drumpellier,  in  North  Britain, 
and  of  London,  merchant,  the  eldest  son  of 
"William,  and  the  eldest  grandson  of  John 
Stirling,  provost  of  Glasgow,  born  in  1677, 
the  eldest  brother  of  her  grandtather  ^Valte^. 
She  d.  June  1,  1S30,  and  had  (with  PoKO- 
Tmr,  Maky,  and  Eliza,  d.  t/ouiij,') 

William,  b.  March  IS,  1779. 

Walter,  b.  1780. 

John,  b.  Oct.  20,  17Sl>,  m.  Elizabeth  "Wil- 
ling, (a?iYt',  p.  cviii.) 

Charles,  b.  17S9. 

(Sir)  James,  b.  Jan.  1701,  Eoar  Admi- 
ral, E.  N. 

Anna,  b.  Sept.  1702. 

DoROTHE-i,  b.  Jan.  1794. 

Andrew,  b.  Jan.  1705. 

Egbert,  b.  April,  1796. 

Edward  Hamilton,  b.  April,  1707. 

Mart,  b.  Aug.  1708. 

Agnes. 

Sir  Walter  Stirling,  F.  E.  and  A.  S.,  b.  June  24,  175S, 
d.  Aug.  25,  1832,  a  banker  in  London,  Major-commandant 
of  the  Somerset-Place  Strand  Volunteers,  from  1798  to 
1803 ;  and  July  17,  1803,  elected  Liexitenant-colonel  of  the 
Prince  of  Wales'  Loyal  "Volunteers;  a  justice  of  peace  for 


the  county  of  Kent ;  a  governor  of  Bridewell  and  Bethlem 
hospitals;  a  Director  of  the  Globe  Insurance  Office;  and 
high  sheriiF  for  the  county  of  Kent  in  1S04 ;  born  June 
24,  1758 ;  elected  representative  in  parliament  for  Gatton, 
in  the  county  of  Surrey,  in  April,  1798;  he  married,  April 
28,  1795,  Susanna,  only  child  and  heiress  of  George 
Trenchard  Goodenough,  of  Broughton  Poggis,  in  Oxford- 
shire ;  of  Dunstalls,  near  Shorcham,  and  of  the  Grove, 
near  Shooters  Hill,  both  in  Kent;  and  of  Bothwood,  in 
the  Isle  of  Wight,  Esq.,  F.  R.  S.,  and  one  of  his  Majesty's 
commissioners  of  taxes,  (lineally  descended  from  William 
of  Wickham,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  which  entitles  his  heirs 
to  their  education  at  Winchester  college,  as  kin  of  the 
founder,)  by  whom  he  had  issue,* 

Mary  Jane,  b.  March  28, 1795,  m.  to  Sir 

James  Flower,  Bart. 
Dorothy  Axne,  b.  May  24,  1796,  m.  to 

J.  B.  Lennard,  Esq. 
Mathilda  Georgiana,  b.  Feb.  27, 1798, 

m.  to  Sir  T.  B.  Lennard,  Bdrt. 

*  Ai-ms — Argent,  on  a  bend  engrailed,  azure,  between  two  roses, 
gules,  seeded,  or.  and  barbed,  vert,  three  buckles  of  the  fourth,  all 
within  a  bordure,  of  the  fifth;  above  the  shield  is  placed  a  helmet 
befitting  his  degree,  with  a  mantling,  gules,  the  doubling,  argent. 
Crest — On  a  wreath  of  his  liveries  a  dexter  armed  arm,  issuing  out 
of  a  ducal  coronet,  grasping  a  dagger  in  fess,  all  proper ;  the  last 
hilted  and  pomelled,  or.  In  an  escroU  above  the  Crest,  this  motto, 
Gang  forirard.  And  on  a  compartment  below  the  shield  are  placed 
for  Supporters — Two  hinds,  purpure,  gorged  with  ducal  coronets, 
proper,  and  semi'e  of  estoils,  argent.  Seat — Shoreham,  Kent.  Resi- 
dence— Pall  Mall,  London.  These  arms  were  allowed  the  late 
Baronet  in  consequence  of  his  being  a  descendant  of  James  Stir- 
ling, of  Keir,  and  Janet,  daughter  and  heiress  of  Andrew  Stirling, 
of  Calder.  It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  there  are  now  living  (1803) 
four  Baronets  of  this  name :  Sir  Walter  Stirling,  of  Ardoch ;  Sir 
John  Stirling,  of  Glorat ;  Sir  James  Stu-ling,  of  Uppal ;  and  the 
present  Baronet 


Walter  George,  b.  March  15, 1802.*  Sir 
Walter  George,  2d  Baronet,  m.  18  th 
August,  1835,  Lady  Caroline  Francis, 
dau.  of  John,  Earl  of  Strafford,  and 
has, 

Walter,  h.  5th  March,  1838. 

Walter  George,  b.  Sept.  6, 1839. 

Frances  Mary, 

Harriet  Ann. 

V.  Mary,  b.  Sept.  24,  1740,  d.  March  24,  1814,  m.  to 
Col.  Wm.  Byrd,  of  Westover,  in  Virginia.       Her  por- 
trait is  at  Berkley,  on  the   James  river.     She  is  the 
lady  mentioned  in  such  complimentary  terms  by  the 
Marquis  de  Chastellux.f 
Col.  Byrd  was  descended  from  an  ancient  family  seated 
at  Broxton,  in  the  county  of  Chester.     Two  pedigrees,  in- 
scribed upon  parchment,  and  emblazoned  with  the  coats  of 
arms  of  the  various  families  with  whom  there  were  inter- 
marriage5,  are  now  in  the  possession  of  his  descendants : 
one  is  certified  from  Herald's  College,  during   the  time  of 

*  Burke's  Peerage. 

\  ^Travels  in  America  during  the  years  1780,  1781,  1782,  Translated 
by  an  English  gentleman  who  was  in  the  country  during  that  period. 
Dublin,  1787. 

The  Marquis  says  that  he  set  out  for  Westover,  and  traveled  some 
twentj'-six  miles  along  a  very  agreeable  road,  with  magnificent 
houses  in  view  at  every  instant,  '  for  the  banks  of  the  James  river 
'are  the  garden  spot  of  Virginia;'  that  of  Mrs.  Byrd,  however, 
surpassed  them  all  in  magnilicence  of  buildings,  beauty  of  situation 
and  pleasures  of  society.  Mrs.  Byrd  he  describes  as  a  widow,  about 
forty-two  years  of  age,  very  agreeable  in  conversation,  who  had 
managed  lier  estate  exceedingly  well,  and  speaks  of  her  two  daugh- 
ters who  had  passed  the  previous  winter  at  Williamsburgh,  where 
they  had  been  greatly  complimented  by  M.  de  Rochambeau,  and  all 
the  French  officers.  He  narrates  the  troubles  she  encountered  from 
both  of  the  contending  parties. 


Queen  Elizabeth ;  the  other,  also  certified  by  the  same  high 
genealogical  authority,  is  of  later  date.* 

The  founder  of  the  fiimily  in  America  was  William  Byrd, 
generally  known  as  '  the  first  Col.  Byrd.'  He  was  a  Cap- 
tain in  the  British  service,  Auditor  General  of  the  Colony, 
Colonel  under  the  Provincial  goverment,  &o ;  a  man  of  great 
hospitality  and  liberality,  and  especially  '  a  generous  bene- 
factor to  the  Huguenots. f  He  m.  Mary  Horsemanden  in 
Kent,  and  had  three  dau.  and  one  son, 

William,  b.  March  28,  1674,  d.  Aug.  26,  1744. 

'  His  vast  fortune'  (says  Campbell,)  '  enabled  him  to  live 
'  in  a  style  of  hospitable  splendor  before  unknown  in  Vir- 
'  ginia,  and  to  indulge  a  munificent  liberality.  His  extensive 
'  learning  was  improved  by  a  keen  observation  and  refined 

*  by  an  acquaintance  and  corespondence  with  the  wits  and 

*  noblemen  of  his  day  in  England.  His  writings  display  a 
'  thorough  knowledge  of  the  natui-al  and  civil  history  of  the 
'  Colony,  and  contain  faithful  and  humorous  skelches  of  the 

*  manners  of  his  age.     To  him  is  due  the  honor  of  having 

*  contributed  more,  perhaps,  to  the  preservation  of  the  his- 
'  torical  materials  of  Virginia,  than  any  of  her  sons.' 

Some  of  Col.  Byrd's  writings,  particularly  that  known  as 
the  Westover  MS.  and  its  burlesque,  are  now  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  American  Philosophical  Society  of  this  city. 
His  extensive  correspondence  belongs  to  his  descendant, 
Mr.  Wm.  Byrd  Harrison,  of  Upper  Brandon.    His  portrait 

*  There  are  several  of  these  pedigrees  in  Virginia.  Amongst 
others,  one,  now  in  possession  of  Col.  Peyton,  deduces  the  descent 
of  the  late  Sir  .John  Peyton,  of  Gloucester,  from  one  of  the  Knights 
who  accompanied  William  the  Conqueror. 

f  Charles  CamphelVs  Hist  Virginia,  p.  10-i,  a  book  which  reflects 
the  greatest  credit  on  the  author  for  accuracy  and  research. 


by  Kneller,  is  at  Berkley.*  He  m.  1,  Lucy  Parke,  dau.  of 
the  Governor  of  the  Leeward  Islands,  (from  which  gentle- 
man also  descended  Mr.  Custis,  the  first  husband  of  Mrs. 
General  Washington,)  and  by  her  had 

WiLHELMiNA,  m.  to  Mr.   Chamberlaync  of  Vir- 
ginia, and 

Evelyn,  d.  unm. 
2,  Miss  Taylor,  an  heiress  of  Kensington,  in  England,  and 
had 

William,  of  whom  presently. 
«  Ann,  ,  m.  to  Mr.  Carter,  of  Olives. 

Mary,  m.  to  Mr.  Carter,  of  Sabine  Hall. 

*  He  lies  buried  in  the  garden  of  his  seat,  Westoyer,  where  a 
marble  moument  bears  the  following  inscription:  'Here  lieth  the 
'  Honorable  William  Byrd,  Esq.  Being  born  to  one  of  the  am- 
'  plest  fortunes  in  this  country,  he  was  sent  early  to  England  for 
'  his  education,  where,  under  the  care  and  direction  of  Sir  Robert 
<  Southwell  and  ever  favored  with  his  particular  instructions,  he 
'  made  a  happy  proficiency  in  polite  and  various  learning.     By  the 

*  means  of  the*  same  noble  friend,  he  was  introduced  to  the  acquain- 

*  tance  of  many  of  the  first  persons  of  that  age  for  knowledge,  wit, 
'■virtue,  birth  or  high  station,  and  particularly  contracted  a  most 
'  intimate  and   bosom  friendship  with  the  learned  and    illustrious 

*  Charles  Boyle,  Earl  of  Orrery.  He  was  called  to  the  bar  in  the 
'  Middle  Temple ;  studied  for  sometime  in  the  Low  Countries  ;  visi- 
'  ted  the  Court  of  France,  .ind  was  chosen  Fellow  of  the  Royal  So- 

*  ciety.     Thus  eminently  fitted  for  the  service  and  ornament  of  his 

*  country,  he  was  made  receiver  general  of  his  Majesty's  revenues 
'  here ;  was  thrice  appointed  public  agent  to  the  court  and  ministry 

*  of  England,  and  being  thirty-seven  years  a  member,  at  last  be- 

*  came  president  of  the  council  of  this  colony.  To  all  this  were 
'  added  a  great  elegancy  of  taste  and  life,  the  well-bred  gentleman 
'  and  polite  companion,  the  splendid  economist  and  prudent  father 
'  of  a  family,  with  the  constant  enemy  of  all  exorbitant  power,  and 
'  hearty  friend  to  the  liberties  of  his  country.  Nat.  Mar.  28,  1674. 
'  Mort.  Aug.  26,  1744.  An  ^tat  70.'  His  portrait,  a  fine  old  cav- 
alier face,  is  preserved  at  Berkley.* — Campbell,  p.  113. 

*  Beverley,  B.  4.  p  62.  thus  alludes  to  the  garden  at  Weftover:  'Colonel  Bi/rd 
'  in  his  garden,  which  is  the  fine.st  in  that  country,  has  a  summHr-house  set  round 
'with  Indian  honeysuckle,  which  all  the  Summer  is  continually  full  of  sweet 
'flowers,  in  which"  these  birds  delight  exceedingly.  Upon  these  flowers  I  have 
'seen  ten  or  a  dozen  of  these  beautiful  creatures  together,  which  sported  about 
'me  so  familiarly,  that  with  their  little  wings  they  often  fanned  my  face.' 


Jane,  m.  to  Mr.  Page,  of  North  river.  His  son 
William,  better  known  as  *  the  third  Col.  Byrd  of  Westo- 
ver,'  was  Colonel  in  the  British  Provincials.  He  commanded 
(1758)  one  of  the  two  Virginia  regiments ;  Gen.  Washing- 
ton commanded  the  other.  He  was  educated  and  lived  a 
good  deal  in  England.  It  was  at  one  time  contemplated  to 
give  him  the  command  subsequently  bestowed  on  Gen. 
Stanwis.*     He  m.  1  Elizabeth  Carter,  of  Shirley,  and  had 

Elizabeth,  m.  to  1,  Mr.  Farley,  2,  Mr.  Dunbar, 
3,  Col  Skipwith. 

William,  Captain  in  the  British  Guards,  d.  young. 

John,  m.  Mrs.  E-andolph,  of  Wilton. 

Thomas,  m.  Mary  Armisted,  of  Hesse. 

OrwAY,  m.  Ann  Mumford. 
2,  Mary  Willing,  above  mentioned,  and  had, 

Charles,  m.  Sally  Meade  and  removed  to  Ken- 
tucky. 

Richard,  m.  1,  Lucy  Harrison,  of  Brandon,  and 
2,  Emily  Wilson,  of  Smithfield,  Va. 

William,  m.  Susan  Lewis,  of  Gloucester,  Va. 

Maria,  m.  to  John  Page,  of  Frederick  county,  Va. 

Ann,  d.  unm. 

Evelyn,  m.  to  Benjamin  Harrison,"]"  of  Brandon, 

*  Post,  p.  153. 

f  "  Tlie  common  ancestor  of  the  TIarrisons  of  Berkley  and  of  Bran- 
don was  Benjamin  Harrison  of  Surre}'.  He  was  born  in  that  county 
1645,  and  died  1712.  It  was  long  believed  by  the  Harrisons  of  Vir- 
ginia, that  they  were  lineally  descended  from  the  celebrated  Uol. 
Thomas  Harrison,  the  friend  of  Cromwell  and  one  of  the  llegicides. 
This  opinion,  however,  appears  to  be  erroneous.  The  first  of  the 
family  in  Virginia  was  the  Hon.  Benjamin  Harrison,  a  member  of 
the  Council  in  Virginia.  He  lies  buried  in  the  yard  of  an  old  churck 
near  Cabin  Point,  in  the  county  of  Surrej'.  The  following  is  his 
epitaph  : — '  Here  lyeth  the  Body  of  the  lion.  Benjamin  Harrison, 
*  Esqe.,  who  did  Justice,  loved  Mercy,  and>valked  humbly  with  his 


and  d.  leaving 

George,  m.  Miss  Ritchie,  and  d.  leaving 
George,  and 
Isabella. 
Wbi.  Byrd,  m.  Miss  Harrison   of  Berk- 
ley, and  has 
Benjamin, 
Randolph, 

*  God  ;  was  always  loj-all  to  his  Prince  and  a  great  Benefactor  to  bis 
'  Country.  He  was  born  in  this  Parish,  the  20th  day  of  September, 
'  1G45,  and  departed  this  Life  the  30th  day  January,  1712-13.'  It 
is  certain  that  this  Benjamin  Harrison,  born  in  Southwark  parish, 
Surrey,  Virginia,  in  164.5,  during  the  civil  war  in  England,  could 
not  be  the  son  of  Col.  Hari'ison,  the  regicide.  He  may,  however, 
have  been  a  collateral  relation.  That  this  Benjamin  Harrison,  of 
Surrey,  was  the  first  of  the  family  in  Virginia,  is  confirmed  by  some 
ancient  wills  still  preserved.  He  had  three  sons,  of  whom  Benja- 
min, the  eldest,  settled  at  Berkley.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  Louis  Burwell  of  Gloucester,  and  was  an  eminent  lawyer  and 
sometime  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Burgesses.  He  died  in  April, 
1710,  aged  37,  leaving  an  only  son  Benjamin,  and  an  only  daughter 
Elizabeth.  The  son  Benjamin  married  a  daughter  of  Robert  (called 
King)  Carter  of  Corotoman,  in  the  county  of  Lancaster.  Two 
daughters  of  this  union  were  killed  by  the  same  flash  of  lightning 

at  Berkley.     Another  daughter  married  ■ Randolph  of  AVilton. 

The  sons  of  this  Benjamin  Harrison  and Carter  his  wife,  were 

Benjamin,  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence ;  Charles,  a 
general  of  the  Revolution ;  Nathaniel,  Henry,  Colin  and  Carter  H. 
From  the  last  mentioned,  are  descended  the  Harrisons  of  Cumber- 
land. Benjamin  Harrison,  Jr.,  of  Berkley,  the  signer,  married  a 
Miss  Basset.  Their  children  were  Benjamin,  Carter  B.,  sometime 
member  of  Congress,  and  William  Henry,  President  of  the  United 

States,  one  daughter  who  married Randolph,  and  another,  who 

married Copeland.  So  far  the  Berkley  branch  of  the  Harri- 
sons." 

"  The  second  son  of  Benjamin  Harrison  of  Surrey,  first  of  the 
family  in  Virginia,  was  Nathaniel.  His  eldest  son  was  named  Na- 
thaniel, and  his  only  son  was  Benjamin  Harrison,  of  Brandon,  one 
of  the  council  of  Virginia,  at  the  same  time  with  Benjamin  Harri- 
son, Jr.,  of  Berkley,  about  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution. 
This  Benjamin  Harrison  of  Brandon  was  father  of  the  present  Wil- 
liam B.  Harrison,  Esq.,  of  Brandon,  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for 
most  of  the  foregoing  particulars,  relative  to  his  ancient  and  emi- 
nent family.     See  8  Hening,  pp.  6G  and  174." — Campbell,  p.  155. 


Carter, 
Shirley. 
Abby,  m.  to  Judge  Win.  Nelson. 
Jane,  m.  to  Carter  B.  Harrison  of  Macon, 
brother  of  the  late  President  Harrison. 

VI.  Elizabeth,  b.  Feb.  10,  1742-3,  m.  to  Samuel  Powel, 
of  Philadelphia.  They  had  three  children,  all  of  -whom 
d.  s.  p.,  and  Mrs.  Powel  left  the  bulk  of  her  estate  to 
her  nephew,  John  P.  Hare,  hereafter  mentioned,  on 
condition  that  he  should  change  hi.s  name  to  Powel, 
■which  he  did. 

VII.  KiCHARD,  b.  Jan.  2,  1744,  m.  but  d.  s.  p. 

VIII.  Abigail,  b.  July  15,  1747,  d.  unm. 

IX.  Joseph,  b.  Oct.  13,  1749,  d.  an  infant. 

X.  James,  b.  Feb.  9,  1750-51,  d.  Oct.  13,  1801.     He 

served  as  a  Captain  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  and 
had  the  misfortune  to  be  taken  prisoner  by  the  British, 
by  whom  he  was  confined  on  board  of  one  of  their 
prison-ships,  where  he  endured  great  privations  and 
sufferings. 

XL  Margaret,  b.  Jan.  15,  1753,  m.  Nov.  16,  1775,  to 
Robert  Hare.     She  d.  .     He  was  the  son  of 

Richard  and  Martha  Hare  of  Limehouse,*  near  London, 

*  Richard  and  Martha  have  had,  besides  the  above  named  Robert, 
Richard,  father  of  Richard  of  Bath,   ■who  m.   a  dau.   of  Sir 

HoUis.' 

James,  (Rev.)  m.  a  dau.  of  Sir  Thos.  Charges,  and  had 

Richard,  now  General  Sir  Richard  Hare  Clarges,  hav- 
ing changed  his  name  on  succeeding  to  the  estate. 
Chakles,  Captain  R.  N.,  who  m.  ,  and  had 

Charles,  R.  N.,  and 

Charlotte,  m.  to  Admiral  John  Alexander. 
John,  a  lawyer  of  the  Inner  Temple. 


and  was  b.  at  Woolwich,  in  Kent,  28th  Jan'y,  1752, 
(0.  S.)  landed  at  Philadelphia  June  4,  1773.  A  Jour- 
nal of  a  Tour  made  by  him  through  the  Northern  and 
Eastern  Colonies,  shortly  before  the  Revolution,  has 
been  printed  by  the  Historical  Society.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  convention  that  framed  the  Constitution 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  afterwards  Speaker  of  the  Sen- 
ate.    They  had  issue,  (with  Richard,  d.  young,') 

Charles  Willing,  b.  at  Westover,  April  23, 

1778. 
Martha,  b.  Aug.  17,  1779,  d.  1852. 
Robert,  b.  Jan.  17,  1781,  m.  Harriet,  dau.  of 
John  Junes  Clark  of  Rhode  Island,  and  had 
John  Innes  Clark,  now  Judge  of  Dis- 
trict Court,  m.  Esther  Binney,  dau. 
of  Hon.  Horace  Binney. 
Lydia,   m.  to  Frederick  Prime,  of  New 

York. 
Robert  Hertford,  m.  Caroline  Flemming. 
George  Harrison,  U.  S.  N. 
John  Powel,  who  afterwards  changed  his  name 
by  Act  of  Assembly,  to  John  Hare  Powel, 
b.  April  22,  1786,  m.   Oct.  20,  1817  Julia 
de  Veaux,  dau.  of  Col.  Andrew  de  Veaux,  of 
South  Carolina,  distinguished  as   a  Loyalist 
officer  during  the  Revolution.     His  wife  was 
Anna  Maria  Verplank,  of  New  York.      Col. 
de  Veaus's  other  dau.  (Augusta,)  m.  Philip 
Verplank,  of  Verplank' s  Point,  N.  Y.     Mrs. 
Powel  d.  Dec.  8,  1845.     They  had 

Sa:muel,  m.    Mary,  dau.  of  Hon.   Robert 


Johnston,  of  Jamaica.*      They  have 

issue. 
De  Veaux,  m.  Elizabeth  Coote.     She  d. 

1845.  He  d.  1848,  leaving  one  child. 
Henry  Baring,  m.  Caroline,  dau.  of  Hon. 

Kichard  H.  Bayard,  of  Delaware.  He 

d.  April  4,  1852,  leaving  one  child. 
Egbert  Hare, 

Elizabeth  and  Hertford,  d.  young. 
Julia,  m.  to  W.  Parker  Foulke. 
John  and  Ida. 

Of  Dr.  William  Sbippen,  already  mentioned,  (ante,  p. 
xxvii)  I  have  no  further  information  than  such  as  is  already 
in  print,  except  a  few  anecdotes.  Of  his  son,  I  have  nothing 
to  add  to  what  is  already  public.  I  would  suggest,  how- 
ever, that  there  must  be,  I  should  think,  some  mistake  in 
the  notice  of  him  to  be  found  in  Dr.  Caldwell's  autobiog- 
raphy (p.  115) — a  work  heretofore  cited,  (ante,  p.  xxsiii.) 

I  have  been  unable  to  trace  the  connection,  if  any,  of  Mr. 
William  Shippen,  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congi'ess 
from  Pennsylvania,  or  Captain  Shippen,  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Monmouth,'}"  with  Edward  Shippen,  the  founder  of  the 
family  here.  Nor  have  I  succeeded  in  ascertaining  of  what 
kinsmanship  was  Mr.  James  Searle,  so  well  and  honorably 
known  in  our  Revolutionary  History,  both  as  a  member  of 
Congress  and  by  his  diplomatic  services,  and  the  Mr.  John 
Searle  mentioned  at  p.  Ixxsviii. 

*  He  made  a  pedestrian  tour  through  Russia,  of  which  he  pub- 
lished an  account,  and  was  descended  from  the  family  of  the  Mar- 
quis of  Annandale. 

f  "mil  Family,'"  by  J.  Jay  Smith,  a  most  entertaining  book. 


Through  the  kindness  of  Dr.  G.  W.  Norris,  I  have  ob- 
tained the  verses  concerning  Dr.  Franklin,  mentioned  at  p. 
264,  post.     I  give   them  as  a  note.*     I  also  add   some 

*  He  thinks  the  tradition  in  the  family  is,  that  they  were  -written 
by  Miss  Hannah  Griffiths,  a  grand-daughter  of  the  first  Isaac  Nor- 
ris ;  but  says  that  Miss  Norris,  spoken  of  by  Judge  Yeates,  -was 
quite  clever  at  verses.  The  verses  themselves  appeared  in  the 
works  of  Dr.  Smith,  Provost  of  the  University,  (Philadelphia, 
1803,)*  with  some  verbal  changes,  and  were  by  him  ascribed  to  the 
Bev.  Jonathan  Odell,  (see  Sabine's  Loyalists) ;  but  incorrectly,  as 
appears  from  the  Doctor's  own  account.  At  first  he  attributed  them 
to  his  '  dear,  deceased  wife,'  in  whose  'handwriting'  was  the  copy 
which  he  'found  on  his  writing-desk;'  then  to  '  her  and  her  dear 
friend,  Mrs.  Ferguson;'  and  then,  on  the  information  '  of  B.  B.  M., 
Esq.,'  to  '  Mr.  Odell.'  There  can  be  no  reasonable  doubt  as  to  Dr. 
Smith's  being  mistaken,  and  of  Judge  Yeates,  writing  contempo- 
raneously, being  correct. 

Inscription  on  a  curious  stove  in  the  form  of  an  urn,  contrived  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  make  the  flame  descend  instead  of  rising  from  the  fire ;  invented  by  Dr. 

rEANKLIN. 

*  Like  a  Newton  sublimely  he  soared 

To  a  summit  before  unattained  ; 
New  regions  of  science  explored, 

And  the  palm  of  philosophy  gained. 

'  With  a  spark  which  he  caught  from  the  skies, 

He  displayed  an  unparalleled  wonder; 
And  we  saw  with  delight  and  surprise. 

That  his  rod  could  secure  us  from  thunder. 

'  Oh !    had  he  been  wise  to  pursue 

The  track  for  his  talents  designed. 
What  a  tribute  of  praise  had  been  due 

To  the  teacher  and  friend  of  mankind. 

'  But  to  covet  political  fame 

Was  in  him  a  degrading  ambition ; 
The  spark  that  from  Lucifer  came, 

Enkindled  the  blaze  of  sedition. 

'  Let  candor  then  write  on  his  urn, 

"  Here  lies  the  renowned  inventor. 
Whose  flame  to  the  skies  ought  to  burn, 

But  inverted,  descends  to  the  centre."  ' 


*  For  this  information  I  am  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  Mr.  M'Allister,  our 
well-known  local  antiquary. 


curious  verses  upon  the  celebrated  Mescbianza,  written  by 
an  ardent  loyalist  lady,  wbose  sentiments  doubtless  fully 
accorded  with  those  of  Mr.  Galloway.* 

I  have  thus  completed  these  notices  and  edited  these  let- 
ters and  papers  with  such  care  and  skill  as  I  was  master  of. 
My  object  has  been  to  gather  together  and  preserve  infor- 
mation not  likely  to  be  much  longer  attainable,  and  by 
accuracy,  if  possible,  of  name,  date  and  fact,  to  correct 


*  The  following  lines  upon  the  Mcschianza  were  written  by  a 
lady,  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  residing  at  the  time  in 
Philadelphia, 

Ansiver  to  the  Question   '  What  is  it?' 

A  shameful  scene  of  dissipation, 
The  death  of  sense  and  reputation  ; 
A  deep  degeneracy  of  nature, 
A  frolic  'for  the  lash  of  satire ;' 
A  feast  of  grandeur  fit  for  kings. 
Formed  of  the  following  empty  things : — 
Ribbons  and  gewgaws,  tints  and  tinsel, 
To  glow  beneath  ihe  historic  pencil ; 
(For,  what  tho'  treason  now  stands  neuter, 
How  will  it  sparkle — page  the  future.) 
Heroes  that  will  not  bear  inspection, 
And  glasses  to  reflect  reflection  ; 
Triumphant  arches  raised  on  blunders. 
And  true  Don  Quixotes  made  of  wonders. 
Laurels,  instead  of  weeping  willows, 
To  crown  the  Bacchanalian  fellows ; 
The  song  of  victory  complete, 
Loudly  re-echoed  from  defeat; 
The  fair  of  vanity  profound, 
A  madman's  dance — a  lover's  round. 

In  short  it's  one  clear  contradiction 
To  every  truth  (except  a  fiction) ; 
Condemned  by  wisdom's  silver  rules, 
The  blush  of  sense  and  gaze  of  fools. 

But  recollection's  pained  to  know 
That  ladies  joined  the  frantic  show; 
"When  female  prudence  thus  can  fail. 
It's  time  the  sex  should  wear  the  veil. 


some  errors  which  already  prevail.  Whether  or  not  I  have 
accomplished  my  object;  what  have  been  my  shortcomings, 
either  through  lack  of  materials  or  my  own  defects ;  what 
the  value  of  the  facts  preserved,  must  be  left  to  the  judg- 
ment of  others.* 

It  certainly  would  have  been  far  easier  and  more  agree- 
able, and  the  temptation  was  great,  to  have  woven  these 
notices  and  letters  into  a  consecutive  narrative;  to  have 
attempted  to  portray  in  my  own  fashion  the  habits,  manners 
and  actions  of  these  people ;  how  they  bore  themselves  in 
the  trying  situations  in  which  many  of  them  were  placed ; 
what  was  their  behavior  when  duties  clashed,  or  when  duty 
conflicted  with  affection,  for  it  will  be  seen  that  of  the  same 
family  some  were  Whigs  and  others  Loyalists;  what  was 
their  social  intercourse ;  what  their  individual  peculiarities ; 
how  their  joys  were  tempered  and  their  griefs  assuaged; 
how  they  lived,  and  loved,  and  died.  Indeed,  portions  of 
such  a  memoir  are  already  in  existence,  detached  sentences 
from  which  appear  in  the  foregoing  pages.  But  as  I  de- 
sired merely,  in  the  present  volume,  to  give  nothing  but 
facts,  I  have  rigorously  abstained  from  inserting  anything, 
which  did  not  as  mere  matter  of  fact  illustrate  the  character 
of  the  individual  spoken  of. 

*  A  few  pages  of  tlie  following  letters  were  not  corrected  by  me 
before  finally  passing  through  the  press :  hence  one  or  two  errors 
have  occurred.  The  letter  dated  Sept.  13th,  1753,  (p.  23)  should 
have  been  1758.  The  reply  of  the  prisoner  (p.  144)  should  have 
been — '  Que  leur  dessein  etoit  d'attaquer  toutes  nos  gardes  avancez, 
'  et  de  les  suivre  s'ils  pourroient  dans  les  retrenchmens.'  'The 
'  case  of  the  Court  of  Chancery'  (p.  1,  et  seq.)  is  in  the  appendix  to 
1  Dallas  Rep.  509,  from  a  certified  copy.  The  MS.  from  which 
that  given  here  was  printed,  came  from  the  papers  of  Col.  Shippen, 
for  many  years  Secretary  to  the  Province.  Mr.  Peters'  letter  (p. 
97)  should  have  been  dated  at  Philadelphia.  Some  literal  or  verbal 
errata  also  might  be  made :  but  they  correct  themselves  to  the 
reader. 


LETTERS  AND  PAPERS 


RELATINO    CHIEFLY   TO    THE 


|!roi)}nciaI  Ijistoru  of  |leintsj)Ii)nnia, 


WITH    SOME 


NOTICES  OF  THE  WRITERS. 


L^^>«i^  (3*^*^^^ 


PRIVATELY     PRINTED. 


PHILADELPHIA : 

CRISSY  &  MARKLEY,  PRINTERS,  GOLDSMITHS  HALL,  LIBRARY  ST. 

1855. 


EXTERED  ACCOEniXG  TO   THE   ACT  OF   CONGRESS, 
iu  the  year  1855,  by 

THOMAS     BALCH, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Eastern  SigitJ^t  of  Pcnnsylrauia. 


rPtEFACE. 


Some  time  ago,  tlie  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania  passed  a 
resolution,  requesting  me  to  edit  certain  letters  -written  by  Chief 
Justice  Sbippen,  then  in  my  possession.  The  duty  was  performed, 
but,  vrhen  the  MS.  was  ready,  I  was  infoi-med  that  the  publication 
had  been  postponed.  I  then  changed  my  original  purpose  into  col- 
lecting and  printing  '  papers  and  letters  relating  chiefly  to  the  Pro- 
'  vincial  history  of  Pennsylvania,'  and  for  the  better  understanding 
of  them,  to  give  'some  notices  of  the  families  of  the  writers.' 
Whilst  thus  engaged,  various  materials  were  tendered  to  mc,  con- 
sisting in  part  of  the  '  Shippen  MSS.'  in  the  archives  of  that  Society, 
in  part  of  masses  of  letters,  accounts,  and  other  papers  in  the  pos- 
session of  descendants  of  some  of  the  families  prominent  in  the 
Province.  The  interest  which  has  been  created  by  the  occupation 
itself,  and  the  desire  to  add  something  to  the  stores  of  the  future 
historian  of  this  State,  induced  me  to  sift  with  care  these  miscel- 
laneous MSS.  and  to  print  such  as  were  of  some,  even  though  not 
remarkable,  value. 

The  greater  portion  of  them  are  purely  private  in  their  character. 
I  therefore  thought  it  well  to  print  only  a  very  small  number  of 
copies,  so  as  to  prevent  any,  except  those  connected  by  '  kindred 
'  ties,'  from  obtaining  the  volume. 

I  have  endeavored  to  make  the  genealogical  notices  full  and  accu- 
rate. In  my  efforts,  I  have  been  greatly  assisted  by  Mr.  J.  F. 
Fisher,  Mr.  Edward  Shippen,  Mr.  Joseph  Swift,  Dr.  G.  AV.  Norris, 
Mr.  Samuel  Powel,  and  other  gentlemen.     To  them  are  due  the 


best  thanks,  not  only  of  myself  as  Editor,  but  of  all  ■who  prize  an 
honorable  ancestry,  such  as  the  following  pages  disclose. 

Some  of  the  letters  relate  to  public  affairs,  and  aid  in  supplying 
gaps  in  Pennsylvania  history.  -At  a  future  day  I  -will  print  extracts 
from  these. 

Some  few  copies  of  the  letters  and  papers  have  been  struck  off 
without  the  'notices  of  the  writers,'  as  the  latter  were  such  as  only 
concerned  the  members  of  their  respective  families. 

A  few  of  the  following  pages  were  not  corrected  by  me  before 
finally  passing  through  the  press;  hence  one  or  two  errors  have 
occurred.  The  letter  dated  Sept.  13th,  1753,  (p.  28)  should 
have  been  1757.  The  reply  of  the  prisoner  (p.  144)  should  have 
been — '  Que  leur  dessein  etoit  d'attaquer  toutes  nos  gardes  avancez, 
'  et  de  les  suivre  s'  lis  pourroient  dans  les  retrenchmens.'  '  The 
'  case  of  the  Court  of  Chancery'  (p.  1,  ct  seq.)  is  in  the  appendix  to 
1  Dallas  Rep.  509,  from  a  certified  copy.  The  MS.  from  which  that 
given  here  was  printed,  came  from  the  papers  of  Col.  Shippen,  for 
several  years  Secretary  to  the  Province.  Mr.  Peters'  letter  (p.  97) 
should  have  been  dated  at  Philadelphia. 

Through  the  kindness  of  Dr.  Norris,  I  am  enabled  to  give,  from 
the  Norris  papers,  the  verses  mentioned  at  p.  264.  He  thinks  the 
tradition  in  the  family  is,  that  they  were  written  by  Miss  Hannah 
Grifiiths,  a  grand-daughter  of  the  first  Isaac  Norris ;  but  says  that 
Miss  Norris,  spoken  of  by  Judge  Yeates,  was  quite  clever  at  verses. 
The  verses  themselves  appeared  in  the  works  of  Dr.  Smith,  Provost 
of  the  University,  [Philadelphia,  1803,*)  with  some  verbal  changes, 
and  were  by  him  ascribed  to  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Odell  (see  Sabine's 
Loyalists) ;  but  incorrectly,  as  appears  from  the  Doctor's  own 
account.  At  first  he  attributed  them  to  his  'dear,  deceased  wife,' 
in  whose  '  handwriting'  was  the  copy  which  he  '  found  on  his  wri- 
*  ting-desk ;'  then  to  '  her  and  her  dear  friend,  Mrs.  Ferguson ;'  and 
then,  on  the  information  '  of  B.  R.  M.,  Esq.,'  to  '  Mr.  Odell.'  There 
can  be  no  reasonable  doubt  as  to  Dr.  Smith's  being  mistaken,  and 
of  Judge  Yeates,  writing  contemporaneously,  being  correct. 

*  For  this  information  I  am  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  Mr.  M'Callistcr,  our 
well-known  local  antiquary. 


Ini-cl-iption  on  a  curious  stove  in  the  form  of  an  urn,  lontriTfd  in  sucli  a  i.iaunt-j' 
as  to  make  the  liame  desccna  instead  of  rising  from  the  fire;  invented  by  hr. 
Franku.v. 

'  Like  a  Newton  sublimely  he  soared 

To  a  summit  before  unattained, 
New  regions  of  science  explored, 
And  the  palm  of  philosophy  gained. 

♦  With  a  spark  which  he  caught  from  the  skies, 

He  displayed  an  unparalleled  wonder, 
And  we  saw  with  delight  and  surprise 

That  his  rod  could  secure  us  from  thunder. 

•  Oh  I  had  he  been  wise  to  pursue 

The  track  for  his  talents  designed. 
What  a  tribute  of  praise  had  been  due 
To  the  teacher  and  friend  of  mankind. 

'  But  to  covet  political  fame 

Was  in  him  a  degrading  ambition ; 
The  spark  that  from  Lucifer  came, 
Enkindled  the  blaze  of  sedition. 

'  Let  candor  then  write  on  his  urn, 

"  Here  lies  the  renowned  inventor. 
Whose  flame  to  the  skies  ought  to  burn. 
But  inverted,  descends  to  the  centre."  ' 

P/iilade/j'/iia,  IWarch,  1855. 


LETTERS  AND  PAPERS 


CBIEFLt  RELATING   TO   THE 


PROVINCIAL  HISTORY  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


THE  CASE  OF  THE   COURT  OF  CHANCERY  IN  PENNSYLVANIA, 
WITH  THE  OPINIONS  OF  MR.  WILLES  AND  MR.  RYDER.* 

Upon  this  foot  tlie  Court  of  Chancery,  in  Pennsylvania, 
having  bean  established,  continued  to  exercise  jurisdiction 
in  matters  of  equity  proceedings  therein,  as  near,  as  they 
conveniently  could,  according  to  the  known  usage  or  practice 
of  his  Majesty's  High  Court  of  Chancery  at  Westminster. 
Nor  were  the  proceedings  of  the  said  Court  complained  of 
ju  any  sort,  or  its  authority  called  in  question,  until  Janu- 
ary, 1735,  though  two  Acts  of  Assembly  for  establishing 
the  Courts  of  Law  in  Pennsylvania,  were  passed  in  that  in- 
terval of  time,  and  fourteen  Assemblies  (this  being  the 
£fteenth,)  have  been  held. 

Upon  divers  petitions  presented  January  27th,  1735,  to 
the  House  of  Assembly,  complaining  that  the  Court  of 
Chancery  in  this  Province  is  erected  in  violation  of  the 

*  The  first  part  of  this  MS.  is  missing.  It  does  not,  so  far  as 
my  reading  goes,  appear  to  have  been  heretofore  printed,  though 
the  subject  has  been  frequently  discussed. 


Charter  of  Privileges,  the  House  came  to  the  following 
resolution,  viz : 

Resolved,  That  the  Court  of  Chancery,  as  it  is  at  present 
established,  is  contrary  to  the  Charter  of  Privileges  granted 
to  the  Freemen  of  this  Province. 

And  upon  conferences  since  had  between  the  Governor 
and  the  Assembly,  (which  two  alone  without  the  Governor's 
Council  compose  [legislative  power]  Pennsylvania,)  the 
Assembly  have  argued  from  the  [authority]  of  several 
English  law  books,  that  the  king  at  this  day  cannot,  by  his 
commission,  erect  a  Court  of  Equity. 
Your  opinion  is  desired  : 

Question. — Whether  a  Court  of  Equity  is  not  a  vital  and 
fundamental  part  of  the  English  Cdnstitution,  incident  to 
and  inseparable  from  it?  And  whether  the  power  of  de- 
termining cases  on  Bill  in  Equity  is  not,  by  the  funda- 
mental laws  and  Constitution  of  the  Kingdom  of  England, 
vested  in  the  King  as  supreme  magistrate,  and  in  the 
Chancellor  acting  under  his  appointment? 

Ansioer. — It  is  pretty  difficult  to  trace  out  the  original 
foundation  of  Courts,  most  of  them  having  their  beginning 
either  from  necessity  or  expedience.  But  it  has  been 
always  held,  that  the  power  of  determining  cases  in  Equity 
was  originally  vested  in  the  King  of  England,  and  that  the 
Chancellor  only  acted  by  virtue  of  a  delegated  power  from 
him,  being  appointed  at  fii-st  as  his  assistant,  when  causes 
in  Equity  began  to  be  so  very  numerous  that  the  King 
could  not  despatch  them  himself.* 

Question  2. — Whatever  courts  the  King  may  now  erect 
by  his  commission  [in]  England,  where  all  necessary  courts 

*  Any  one  curious  as  to  this  point,  -will  find  all  the  learning  in 
Mr.  Spence's  learned  treatise. 


are  already  in  being;  yet  whether  King  Charles  the  Second 
could  by  law  grant  suflScient  authority  by  a  commission 
under  the  Great  Seal  unto  William  Pcnn  and  his  depu- 
ties, to  erect  Courts  of  Equity  in  the  Province  of  Penn- 
sylvania; or  is  it  absolutely  necessary  that  the  consent  of 
the  Legislature  there  should  first  be  had,  in  order  to  the 
erecting  such  courts  ? 

Aiisicer. — Though  it  is  held  that  his  Majesty  cannot  now 
by  his  commission  erect  a  new  Court  of  Equity  in  Eng- 
land, where  all  projier  courts  have  been  long  since  estab- 
lished, yet  I  am  of  opinion  that  King  Charles  the  Second, 
when  he  was  erecting  a  new  form  of  government  in  Penn- 
sylvania, might,  by  his  Charter,  grant  to  "William  Pcnn 
and  his  deputies  a  power  to  erect  new  Courts  of  Equity  in 
that  Province,  and  that  the  consent  of  the  Legislature  there 
was  not  necessary  to  be  first  had,  until  Mr.  Penn  made  it 
so  by  his  Instrument  or  Charter,  of  the  2Sth  October,  1701. 

Question  3. — Whether  the  unanimous  resolution  of  the 
Assembly,  requesting  Mr.  Keith  to  open  and  hold  a  Court 
of  Equity  for  the  said  Province,  with  the  assistance  of  his 
council,  laid  before  him  on  the  [4th  May,  1720,]  his 
assent  to  that  request,  and  establishment  of  [a  Court] 
pursuant  thereto,  by  the  advice  of  his  Council,  the  subse- 
quent approbation  of  the  Assembly  given  to  that  establish- 
ment, and  the  notification  thereof  to  the  public  in  Penn- 
sylvania, by  written  proclamation  under  the  Great  Seal 
there,  may  not  be  called  an  act  of  the  whole  Legislature 
there,  although  not  rendered  in  the  ordinary  form  of  law, 
or  at  least  may  not  be  deemed  a  sufficient  signification  of 
the  consent  of  the  Legislature  thereto? 

Ansioer. — I  am  of  opinion  that  the  ujianimous  resolution 
of  the  Assembly,  4th  May,  1720,  what  was  afterwards  done 


by  Governor  Keith  and  his  committee  thereupon,  the  subse- 
quent approbation  of  the  Assembly,  and  the  proclamation 
which  issued  thereupon,  sufficiently  established  the  present 
Court  of  Chancery,  notwithstanding  the  clause  relating 
thereto  in  the  said  Charter  of  the  28<7i  October,  1701,  for  I 
think  that  there  has  been  a  sufficient  declaration  of  the  as- 
sent of  the  Legislature,  to  the  erecting  of  such  Court. 

Question  4. — Whether  the  original  establishment  and 
holding  of  the  Court  of  Chancery  by  such  devise  as  afore- 
said, after  the  time  of  William  Penn's  Charter  of  Privi- 
leges to  the  inhabitants,  but  before  the  resolve  of  the  As- 
sembly, in  January,  1735,  can  justly  be  construed  as  a 
violation  of  the  sixth  clause  of  the  said  Charter  (whatever 
that  clause  may  import,  seeing  it  was  provided  that  the 
Governor  and  sis  parts  in  seven  of  *  *  *  the  Legislature 
might  alter  the  Charter — or  whether  a  proceeding,  hereto- 
fore before  the  Governor  and  his  Council,  (not  as  a  Council 
of  State,  but  as  a  Court  of  Chancery,  according  to  equity 
and  stated  rules  of  practice  of  that  Court,)  was  not  a  pro- 
ceeding in  the  ordinary  court  of  j  list  ice,  and  consequently 
within  the  reservation  in  the  said  sixth  clause  ? 

Answer. — I  am  of  opinion  that  neither  the  establishment 
nor  the  holding  of  the  said  Court  of  Chancery,  after  the  con- 
sent of  the  Assembly  so  declared  as  aforesaid,  can  be  con- 
strued to  be  a  violation  of  the  sixth  clause  of  the  said  Char- 
ter. But  if  the  Governor  and  Council,  after  that  Charter, 
had  proceeded  to  hear  cases  in  equity  without  such  consent 
of  the  Assembly,  I  should  have  been  of  opinion  that  it  had 
been  contrary  to  the  said  Charter. 

Question  5. — Whether  since  the  Assembly  have  come  to 
their  Piesolution  of  January,  1735,  it  will  now  be  contrary 
to  the  Charter  of  Privileges,  or  unlawful  to  continue  to  hold 


the  said  Court  of  Cbancery,  notwithstanding  such  last 
mentioned  vote,  or  ought  the  Court  of  Chancery  to  be 
established  by  Act  of  Assembly,  and  not  otherwise? 

Ansiver. — As  I  am  of  opinion  (that  this  Court  of  Chan- 
cery was  at  first  legally  and  rightfully  [established]  I  do 
not  think  that  it  will  be  contrary  to  the  Chart  [er  or  un-] 
lawful  to  continue  to  bold  the  same.  But  I  am  of  opinion 
that  the  same  may  be  lawfully  held  till  the  whole  Legisla- 
ture have  passed  an  act  to  the  contrary. 

J.    WiLLES.* 

August  21st,  1736. 

• 

Ansicer  to  Question  1. — I  am  of  opinion  that  a  Court  of 
Equity  is  a  necessary  part  of  the  English  Constitution,  that 
relates  to  the  administration  of  justice :  and  that  the 
Chancellor  appointed  by  the  King,  [or]  the  Keeper  of  the 
Great  Seal,  are,  by  virtue  of  their  office,  entitled  to  exer- 
cise that  jurisdiction. 

Ansicer  to  Question  2. — I  conceive  that  King  Charles 
Second  might,  by  law,  grant  power  to  William  Penn  and 
his  deputies,  to  erect  a  Court  of  Equity  in  Pennsylvania, 
without  the  consent  of  the  Legislature  there. 

Ansicer  to  Qnestion  3. — I  conceive  this  is  not  an  Act  of 
the  Legislature  there,  nor  a  sufficient  signification  of  their 
approbation,  supposing  their  approbation  was  necessary. 

Answer  to  Question  4. — I  conceive  the  establishing  the 
Court  of  Chancery  in  the  manner  above  mentioned,  was  no 
violation  of  the  sixth  clause  of  the  Charter  of  1701,  both 
because  there  was  the  assent  of  the  Governor,  and  six  parts 
in  seven  of  the  Assembly  met,  and  because  the  proceeding 

*  Attorney  General,  afterwards  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  the  Com- 
mon Pleas. 


in  a  Court  of  Equity  may  be  justly  called  the  ordinary 
course  of  justice. 

Answer  to  Question  5. — I  apprehend  the  Resolution  of 
the  Assembly  does  not  make  that  illegal  which  was  not 
so  before,  therefore  that  it  is  not  unlawful  to  hold  the 
[said]  Court  of  Chancery,  notwithstanding  that  resolution. 

D.  Ryder.* 

October  13th,  1736. 


A    LIST 

Of  Subscribers  for  An  Assembly,  under  the  direction  of 
John  Inglis,  Lyuford  Larduer,  John  Wallace  and  John 
Swift :  each  subscription,  forty  shillings,  to  be  paid  to 
any  of  the  Directors  at  subscribing."}" 


Alex'.  Hamilton, 

Tho.  Lawrence,  Jr., 

John  Wallace, 

Phineas  Bond, 

Ch'  Willing, 

Joseph  Shippen, 

Sam.  McCall,  Jun'', 

George  McCall, 

Edw.  Jones, 

Samuel  McCall,  Sen', 

Redm.  Couyngham, 

Jos.  Sims, 

Thomas  Lawrence,  Sen', 


James  Hamilton, 
Ro.  Mackinen, 
Wm.  Allen, 
Arch<i  McCall, 
Jos.  Turner, 
Thos.  Hopkinson, 
Rich**  Peters, 
Adam  Thomson, 
Alex'  Stedman, 
Patrick  Baird, 
John  Sober, 
David  Franks, 
John  Inglis, 


*  Solicitor  General,  afterwards  Lord  Chancellor. 

f  Printed  from  the  original  MS.  in  Mr.  Lai'dner's  possession. 
It  will  be  seen  that  j\Ir.  Griswold  {liqmblicim  Court,  p.  13),  has 
had  an  incorrect  copy  placed  in  his  hand.s. 


Duvid  Mcllvainc, 
John  Wilcocks, 
Charles  Stedman, 
John  Kidd, 
Wm.  Bingham, 
Buekridge  Sims, 
John  Swift, 
John  Kearsley,  Jun'", 
Wm.  Plumsted, 
Andrew  Elliot, 
James  Burd, 
Wm.  Peters, 
James  Polyccen, 
Wm.  Frank] en. 
Hen.  Harrison, 
John  Heuston, 
Daniel  Boiles, 


Niuian  Wischeart, 
Abram  Taylor, 
James  Trotter, 
Samson  Levy, 
Lynford  Lardner, 
Rich'i  Hill,  Jr., 
Benj.  Frill, 
Jn.  Francis, 
William  McHvaine, 
Will"  Humphreys, 
Thomas  White, 
John  Lawrence, 
Thos.  Graems, 
John  Cottenham, 
John  Moland, 
Wm.  Cuzzens. 


(1st  Philadelphia  Assembly,  1748.) 


JOHN    SWIFT  TO  JOHN  WHITE,  AT  THE   PENN  A  COFFEE 
HOUSE,  BIRCHEN  LANE,  LONDON. 

Philadelphia f  July  13<7i,  1747. 

Dear  Uncle  : — When  I  began  this  letter,  I  intended 
to  have  given  you  a  true  account  of  two  French  privateers 
that  were  yesterday  at  Bombay  Hook,  from  whence  there 
came  an  express  to  the  President  here,  (Mr.  Palmer),  which 
gave  an  account  that  they  had  landed  a  hundred  men  at 
Black  Creek,  who  had  plundered  the  inhabitants  of  their 
negroes,  and  what  else  they  could  get;  shot  a  woman  in  the 


thigh,  and  taken  her  husband  prisoner.  But  I  am  disap- 
pointed, for  there  is  not  a  word  of  truth  in  it,  notwith- 
standing it  was  as  much  believed  in  this  town,  two  hours 
ago,  as  the  Bible  is.  Even  the  Quakers'  faith  failed  them, 
so  that  they  could  not  help  giving  their  assent  to  the  truth 
of  it ;  and  it  was  added,  besides,  that  there  were  more  priva- 
teers upon  the  coast,  but  this  did  not  gain  so  much  credit. 
The  women,  you  may  be  sure,  were  in  great  consternation 
upon  hearing  that  danger  was  so  near  them,  but  it  had  no 
other  effect  upon  the  men  of  my  acquaintance,  than  to  raise 
their  indignation  against  a  Quaker  government. 

I  am  sure  I  wrote  to  you  by  the  first  opportunity,  after 
the  river  became  navigable,  and  told  you  that  we  had  had 
a  severe  winter,  which  prevented  my  writing  to  you  sooner, 
which  letter  went  by  the  way  of  Ireland,  and  a  copy  of  it 
by  Seymour,  so  that  if  that  account  can  afford  you  any 
pleasure,  I  flatter  myself  you  will  receive  it.  But  I  did  not 
paint  it  in  all  its  horrors,  as  I  would  have  done  had  I  known 
that  accounts  of  that  sort  would  have  been  pleasing  to  you. 
I  know  it  was  not  so  to  me,  who  felt  it.  But  we  have  had 
a  spring  that  has  made  amends  for  it.  From  the  latter  end 
of  February  to  the  latter  end  of  May,  was  as  fine  weather  as 
ever  was  known  in  any  part  of  the  world,  I  believe;  I  never 
saw  anything  comparable  to  it  in  England,  at  this  season  of 
the  year.  We  had  neither  frosts  nor  cold  winds,  in  March, 
nor  too  hot  weather  in  May ;  the  latter  end  of  March  peach 
trees  were  in  blossom,  and  asparagus  plenty.  The  17th  of 
April  I  eat  tarts  made  of  gooseberries,  that  were  on  the 
trees  the  day  before,  at  which  time  all  sorts  of  trees  in  the 
woods  were  green.  There  was  as  fair  a  prospect  of  great 
crops  of  corn,  as  ever  was  known ;  but  we  have  had  so  much 
rain  for  these  three  weeks  last  past,  that  people  will  be 
greatly  disappointed  of  their  expectations,  for  instead  of  a 


good  crop,  tlioy  will  Inive  a  very  bad  one.  The  rain  has 
mildewed  the  corn  all  over  the  country,  and  in  some  places 
where  they  cut  it  early,  it  has  rotted  in  the  field  and  not 
been  worth  carrying  in. 


JOHN  SWIFT,  TO  JOHN  WHITE,  PENN'A  COFFEE  HOUSE, 
LONDON. 

Philadelphia,  AwjUAt  '2dth,  1747. 

Dear  Uncle  : — I  ara  not  certain  whether  this  will  cover 
a  bill  of  exchange  for  £200  or  not,  the  reason  of  which  is 
that  I  am  obliged  to  go  out  of  town,  to  Penn's  manor,  to- 
morrow morning,  according  to  appointment,  and  I  do  n't 
know  of  any  body  that  wants  to  draw,  except  Allen  &  Tur- 
ner, and  they  are  both  in  great  affliction,  for  the  loss  of 
their  relations;  Mr.  Allen,  for  Andrew  Hamilton,  who  died 
yestei'day,  (after  being  four  days  ill  of  a  yellow  fever),  and 
was  this  morning  buried  at  Bush  Hill ;  and  Mr.  Turner,  for 
his  nephew,  (a  son  of  Peter  Turner's),  who  died  yesterday  of 
the  same  disorder,  and  is  to  be  buried  this  afternoon  from 
his  house.  I  have  therefore  put  the  money  into  the  hands 
of  Mr.  Abram  Claypoole,  and  desired  him  to  get  a  bill  of 
them  on  Monday,  if  they  have  not  done  drawing :  I  believe 
it  will  cost  85  per  cent.,  so  that  I  find  there  is  no  advantage 
to  be  got  by  waiting,  for  which  reason  I  shall,  for  the  future, 
buy  my  bills  as  soon  as  I  receive  the  money.  This  is  not  a 
country  for  a  man  to  live  in  who  is  fond  of  this  world,  when 
every  year  he  must  run  the  risk  of  being  seized  with  this 
vile  fever,  and  hurried  away  before  he  has  time  to  look 
about  him,  which  I  think  must  be  a  melancholy  considera- 
tion to  a  man  in  good  circumstances,  that  has  a  family  of 
children  he  wishes  to  see  brought  up.  Poor  Mr.  Hamilton 
A* 


10 

has  left  two  sons,  and  his  wife  ia  so  ill  of  the  fever,  that  it 
is  thought  she  can't  get  over  it.  Jasper  McCall,  Captain 
Atwood's  wife,  and  Dr.  Kearsley's  wife,  have  all  died  this 
week.  Mr.  Currie  is  ill,  but  there  is  some  hope  of  his  re- 
covery. 

Memorandum,  September  5tl),  1747,  Mr.  Claypoole  got  a 
hill  of  exchange  of  Allen  &  Turner,  for  iC200,  and  enclosed 
it  in  the  above. 


JOHN  SAVIFT  TO  JOHN  WHITE,  AT  THE  PENN'A  COFFEE 
HOUSE,  LONDON. 
Philadelphia,  Srptcmher  20(h,  1747. 
Dear  Uncle  : — The  news  I   have  to  send  you  from  this 
place,  is  as  follows  :  a  Spanish  privateer,  of  ten  guns,  took 
last  week  eight  vessels  belonging  to  this  place,  and  three 
to  Virginia;  she  came  to  an  anchor  in  the  Bay.   The  yellow 
fever  still  rages  very  violently  in  town,  young  Samuel  Powel 
died  of  it  this  day. 


JOHN  SWIFT  TO  .JOHN  WHITE,  LONDON. 

PhilaclelpMa,  Novemher  2dth,  1747. 

Dear  Uncle  : — I  have  sent  Mr.  Bedford  two  kegs  of 
pickles  and  two  to  Mr.  Williams.  The  success  the  Spanish 
privateers  had  upon  our  coasts  last  summer,  has  much 
alarmed  the  inhabitants  of  this  town,  and  a  pamphlet  pub- 
lished here  a  few  days  ago,  setting  forth  the  miserable  ca- 
lamities that  may  befall  us,  if  something  is  not  done  for  our 
security  against  next  spring,  has  raised  a  military  spirit 
amongst  the  people.  Yesterday  there  was  a  grand  meeting 
of  all  ranks  and  conditions  at  Whitfield  building,  where  they 
signed  an  association  for  forming  themselves  into  a  militia 


11 

for  the  defence  of  the  city.  And  there  is  to  be  a  lottery 
set  on  foot  immediately,  to  raise  money  towards  fitting  out  a 
vessel,  to  protect  the  trade.  And  a  petition  will  be  pre- 
sented to  our  worthy  Assembly,  (who  are  now  sitting), 
praying  them  to  take  it  into  their  consideration,  and  do 
something  for  the  common  security.  I  have  sent  you  the 
pamphlet  and  a  copy  of  the  association,  and  three  papers 
relating  to  the  Quakers'  principles  of  not  defending  them- 
selves, which  have  been  of  great  service  to  some  of  them, 
and  convinced  them  that  they  have  been  in  a  mistake  about 
that  matter.  Ednuinson  is  acknowledged  to  have  been 
a  great  man  amongst  them. 

As  the  London  gentlemen  volunteers  have  no  use  for  their 
fire-arms,  now  the  rebellion  is  over,  I  suppose  some  of  them 
will  be  disposed  of  at  a  reasonable  rate.  In  that  case  I 
should  be  glad  if  you  would  send  me  one,  as  I  am  bound  in 
reason,  duty  and  honor,  to  have  one  of  some  kind  or  other, 
and  my  fowling-piece  has  no  bayonet  to  it.  I  can  sell  it 
when  I  leave  the  country. 


JOHN    SWIFT    TO    GROSVENOR   BEDFORD,    ESQ.,    AT    THE 
GENERAL  EXCISE  OFFICE,  LONDON. 

PMladelpMa,  March  2'ld,  1747. 

Dear  Friend  : — I  congratulate  you  upon  the  acquisition 
of  a  son,  (may  he  be  a  good  one,)  and  that  Providence  has 
not  suffered  any  loss  to  befall  you  but  what  may  be  retrieved. 
I  have  had  a  loss  in  a  lottery  as  well  as  you,  though  not  a 
very  handsome  one.  If  you  incline  to  drink  any  more,  please 
to  let  it  be  to  my  safe  return  to  you,  because  that  is  what  I 
wish  for  most.  As  my  manner  of  living  here,  or  to  speak  more 
properly,  spending  time,  is  new  to  you,  I  will  give  you  some 
account  of  it.     Know,  then,  that  I  lodge  at  the  house  of 


12 

Mr.  Eobert  Ellis,  whose  wife  is  a  cheerful,  discreet,  good 
sort  of  woman,  and  though  not  young,  yet  still  remembers 
that  she  has  been  so,  and  therefore  we  agree  very  well;  and 
there  are  three  young  ladies  in  the  house,  one  of  which  hap- 
pens to  be  a  widow,  so  that  we  have  a  variety  of  conditions. 
But  I  am  giving  you  a  history  of  a  whole  family  instead  of 
my  own,  though  so  fiir  was  necessary  to  my  design,  because 
it  is  in  this  family  that  a  great  part  of  my  time  is  past; 
all  my  nights,  many  of  my  evenings,  and  the  time  it  takes 
me  to  breakfast  and  dine.  My  days  I  spend  in  giving  my 
attendance  on  a  place  I  call  my  store,  but  it  is  to  very  little 
purpose  of  late,  that  I  am  almost  tired  of  it.  I  sometimes 
of  an  evening  go  to  a  club  made  up  mostly  of  sober,  staid 
elderly  gentlemen,  who  have  had  their  day,  and  seen  the 
folly  of  it,  and  are  now  satisfied  with  as  much  wine  as  they 
can  drink  by  eleven  o'clock.  A  bumper  is  never  proposed, 
but  upon  some  very  extraordinary  occasion,  which  I  think 
has  never  happened  since  I  have  been  in  the  country.  Don't 
you  think  they  are  very  discreet  people?  But  I  have  not 
philosophy  to  be  governed  altogether  by  the  example  of 
others.  I  always  find  an  inclination  in  myself  for  one  bum- 
per at  least,  and  indulge  myself  in  it,  when  I  am  in  com- 
pany that  have  a  relish  for  it,  which  sometimes  happens; 
but  this  is  a  very  sober  town,  and  I  am  prodigiously  afraid 
of  getting  an  ill  name,  and  am  therefore  much  upon  my 
guard.  I  sent  you  by  the  widow  Captain  Whyte,  a  small 
keg  of  mangos  and  one  of  peaches,  and  some  terrapins, 
which  I  hope  you  will  receive.  I  am  ashamed  that  I  have 
not  yet  got  the  rattlesnakes  to  send  you,  but  indeed  I  have 
done  all  I  could  to  get  them  but  have  not  been  able  to  do 
it.  I  expect  you  will  say  I  am  a  right  American,  but  do  n't 
be  angry. 


EDWARD  SniPrEX  (CU.  J.)  TO  JOSEPH  SIIIPPEN  (COL.) 

London,  Feb.  2r)(h,  174S. 

Dear  Joe  : — Yours  per  Child  I  received,  and  am  pleased 
with  its  contents.  I  hope  you  will  never  neglect  any  op- 
portunity of  writing,  and  expect  that  you  will  from  time  to 
time  acquaint  me  with  every  thing  worth  noticing  which  oc- 
curs. You  desire  that  I  should  give  you  a  particular  account 
of  my  voyage  ;  which  I  shall  do  with  the  greatest  pleasure, 
though  the  narration  may  not  be  altogether  so  agreeable  as 
you  could  wish.  For  eight  days  after  we  left  the  capes,  we 
had  as  fine  winds  and  pleasant  weather  as  one  could  possibly 
desire;  in  which  time  we  had  run  to  the  outermost  part  of 
the  Banks  of  Newfoundland,  something  above  a  third  part 
of  our  passage;  the  eighth  night,  about  nine  o'clock,  we  had 
a  storm  come  on  from  the  north-west  so  suddenly,  that  wo 
could  not  possibly  get  our  sails  furled  time  enough  to  pre- 
vent the  violence  of  the  wind  from  tearing  our  mainsail  and 
foresail  all  to  pieces.  The  maintop  yard  was  lowered  and 
the  sail  furled,  but  the  fury  of  the  wind  drove  the  yard  from 
its  proper  place  quite  up  to  the  head  of  the  main  topmast, 
blew  the  sail  loose,  and  made  it  stand  abroad  like  a  vane. 
We  continued  in  this  situation  for  about  an  hour,  without 
any  further  damage,  when  the  gale  increased  to  such  a  de- 
gree, that  we  could  not  by  any  means  keep  the  ship  before 
the  wind,  but  she  violently  broached  to,  and  we  must  have 
inevitably  gone  to  the  bottom,  had  not  the  captain  very  sea- 
sonably cut  away  the  mizenmast,  which  brought  her  to 
rights.  Some  time  after  this,  the  wind  raged  still  more, 
and  obliged  the  ship,  notwithstanding  the  loss  of  our  mizen- 
mast, to  broach  to  a  second  time.  And  now,  we  had  lost  all 
hopes,  and  thought  that  nothing  less  than  a  miracle  could 


14 

save  us  from  the  impending  ruin.  The  ship  hiy  on  her 
beam-cads,  so  that  cue  could  sit  strait  up  on  her  side,  and 
wo  expected  every  moment  to  perish.  The  sailors  were  so 
disheartened  that  they  would  not  work  a  stroke,  but  quitted 
the  deck,  every  man  but  one,  and  retired  to  their  cabins  to 
pray.  After  laying  some  time  in  this  melancholy  posture, 
we  had  the  good  fortune  to  have  our  maintopmast,  with 
the  head  of  our  mainmast,  blown  away ;  which  took  away 
so  much  of  the  power  of  the  wind  over  us,  that  we  righted 
once  more,  and  got  before  the  wind.  And  thus  we  con- 
tinued, exposed  to  the  mercy  of  the  winds  and  seas,  till  about 
sis  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  we  found  the  storm  some- 
thing abating,  and,  in  about  two  hours  afterwards,  we  had 
but  a  very  moderate  gale.  But  to  have  seen  the  havoc  that 
was  made  upon  deck,  and  the  miserable  plight  we  were  re- 
duced to  from  the  loss  of  our  sails  and  masts,  and  the  shat- 
tered condition  of  every  thing  about  us,  would  have  made 
men  of  more  philosophy  than  any  of  us,  feel  concerned,  even 
after  the  abatement  of  the  wind.  But,  thank  God  !  this 
terrible  storm  was  succeeded  by  three  or  four  days  of  very 
fine  weather,  which  gave  us  time  to  mend  our  sails,  and  put 
ourselves  in  as  good  a  posture  for  proceeding  with  the  voy- 
age as  could  possibly  be  expected  from  people  in  our  condi- 
tion; yet,  we  thought  ourselves  so  unfit  to  venture  into  the 
English  channel,  that  we  consulted  several  times  whether  it 
was  not  most  proper  to  put  into  Lisbon  to  refit.  But  the 
captain's  opinion  prevailed,  that  we  should  stand  for  the 
channel,  and  put  into  the  first  harbor  in  England,  in  case 
it  should  be  thick  or  stormy  weather.  So  we  proceeded, 
and  arrived  safe  in  the  Downs  the  twenty-seventh  day 
after  we  left  the  capes.  We  landed  at  Deal,  and  took 
coaches  for  London,  where  we  have  had  the  pleasure  of  con- 


15 

gratulating  one  another  upon  our  deliverance.  I.  lioartily 
wish,  dear  brother,  that  you  may  never  meet  with  any  thing 
like  what  I  have  been  rehiting.  You  cannot,  from  reading 
this  or  any  description  of  our  cahimity,  be  any  sort  of  a 
judge  of  the  horror  of  it. 

Since  I  have  been  in  London,  I  have  enjoyed  a  very 
good  state  of  health,  and  have  spent  some  time  in  seeing 
all  the  curiosities  of  this  populous  city,  which  I  shall  for- 
bear to  particularize  at  present.  The  relation  will  serve  to 
pass  away  an  hour  or  two  of  our  winter  evenings  when  we 
get  together  again,  if  ever  it  please  God  to  bring  about 
that  happiness. 

Give  my  love  to  mammy,*  and  tell  her  I  have  her  often 
in  my  mind,  and  wish  she  could  mention  any  thing  that 
would  be  agreeable  to  her  from  hence.  I  should  take  great 
pleasure  in  supplying  her. 

Remember  me  kindly  to  Uncle  Billy  and  his  family,  Mr. 
Willing  and  his  family,  Billy  and  Jemmy  Logan,  Tommy 
Smith,  and  all  other  friends  j  and,  dear  Joe,  accept  my 
hearty  love  to  yourself,  and  believe  me,  your  very  loving 
and  aflfcctionate  brother. 


JOHN  SWIFT  TO  JOHN  WHITE,  PENN'A  COFFEE  HOUSE, 
LONDON. 

Fhiladeljjhia,  Ajin'1 12(h,  1748. 

Dear  Uncle  : — The  association  for  the  militia  goes  on  very 
well  here,  there  are  upwards  of  eight  hundred  men  in  this 
city,  that  bear  arms,  and  are  already  become  pretty  expert 

*  The  second  wife  of  Edward  Sbippen,  of  Lancaster. 


16 

in  the  exercise ;  and  in  the  province  there  are  near  twenty 
thousand  associators,  and  more  daily  coming  in.  The  plat- 
form for  a  battery  is  begun  by  the  swamp  below  the  Swedes' 
church,  and  we  have  cannon  coming  to  us  from  New  York, 
viz :  twelve  twelve-pounders,  and  two  eighteen-pounders, 
which  are  to  serve  till  we  can  be  better  provided.  With 
these  we  shall  be  able  to  make  some  resistance  in  case  of  an 
attack.  There  is  another  lottery  going  to  be  set  on  foot,  to 
raise  six  thousand  pounds,  which  is  to  be  applied  for  de- 
fending the  city. 


JOHN  SWIFT  TO  JOHN  WHITE,  AT  CROYDON,  IN  SURUY, 
ENGLAND. 

PUladelpMa,  July  22c?,  1748. 

Dear  Uncle  : — We  have  had  an  account  of  a  cessation  of 
arms  between  England  and  France,  which  I  hope  will  be  the 
forerunner  of  a  peace,  but  I  fear  it  will  not  be  a  very  ad- 
vantageous one  for  the  English.  The  giving  up  of  Cape 
Breton  will  be  a  great  mortification  to  the  people  of  New 
England,  and  indeed  to  all  North  America. 


RICHARD  PETERS  (SECRETARY)  TO  JAMES  LOGAN. 

PUladelpMa,  Nov.  26th,  1748. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — I  was  going  on  Thursday  afternoon  to  write 
to  you,  to  tell  you  that  I  had  given  the  Governor  your 
congratulations,  in  the  most  ajBFectionate  manner  I  could  ex- 
press myself,  which  was  but  doing  you  justice,  and  that 


17 

there  was  no  reason  in  the  world  to  imagine  tliat  there  would 
be  a  general  *****  But,  on  his  asking  me  if  he 
could  not  steal  a  visit  to  you  before  he  went  to  New  Castle, 
I  thought  it  bettor  he  should  give  you  the  first  account  of 
present  affairs.  England  is  a  most  debauched  place.  If 
the  weather  permits  he  will  see  you  this  afternoon ;  if  not, 
you  must  excuse  him  till  his  return  from  the  lower  coun- 
ties. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  (CH.  J.)  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

London,  Jan.  2Sd,  1749. 

Dear  and  Hon'd  Sir: — With  regard  to  a  journeyman 
from  a  sugar-house,  I  am  afraid  it  will  be  difficult  to  pro- 
cure one  to  go  over,  for  a  man  who  understands  the  busi- 
ness well,  can  get  £50  stg,  per  an.  in  London,  and  an  in- 
different hand  would  not,  I  suppose,  suit  your  purpose. 

I  have,  according  to  your  desire,  visited  Mr.  Rich'dPenn, 
who  made  me  very  welcome,  and  yesterday  I  had  the  honor 
of  dining  with  him. 

I  shall  send  mammy  the  Mantua  silk  per  Mesnard,  who 
sails  in  a  month.  You  will  find  that  article  is  very  high, 
the  ships  from  India  not  having  brought  any  this  fall,  so 
that  silk  has  risen  25  to  30  per  cent,  within  these  three 
months. 

I  am  sorry  that  I  have  to  inform  you  that  I  am  disap- 
pointed in  my  expectations  of  being  called  to  the  Bar  at  this 
term  :  the  occasion  of  it,  I  could  not  possibly  prevent. 
Every  student,  before  he  comes  to  the  Bar,  is  obliged  to 
perform  six  vacation  exercises,  three  candlelight  exercises, 
and  two  new-inn  exercises ;  which  he  is  not  allowed  to  do 


18 

alone,  but  must  be  joined  with  another  student.  I  had 
calculated  matters  so  as  to  have  performed  them  all  before 
the  end  of  this  term ;  but,  unluckily  for  me,  the  gen- 
tleman who  was  my  companion  in  the  exercises,  having 
some  engagements  in  the  country,  could  not  attend  at 
the  time  appointed  for  the  performance  of  one  of  the  vaca- 
tion exercises,  which  obliged  me  to  defer  that  duty  until 
next  vacation.  So  that  it  will  be  Easter  Term  before  I 
can  be  possibly  called,  unless  I  consent  to  compound  for 
vacation  exercises,  which  would  cost  me  near  twenty 
pounds.  I  know,  sir,  that  you  expect  me  to  leave  Eng- 
land in  March  or  February,  which  makes  me  at  a  loss 
how  to  act.  But  I  am  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  either 
returning  home  without  being  made  a  barrister,  and  so 
making  all  my  expenses  at  the  Temple  useless,  or  of  pro- 
longing my  stay  in  England  two  or  three  months.  The 
former,  I  am  sensible,  would  not  be  so  agreeable  to  you, 
and,  since  I  have  gone  so  far  at  the  Temple,  I  believe 
I  must  stay  and  see  it  out,  and  depend  on  your  goodness 
to  send  me  about  £30  upon  my  coming  away.  Accord- 
ing to  my  calculation,  that  amount,  together  with  the  money 
you  have  already  favored  me  with,  and  the  £20  you  order 
Storke  to  let  me  have,  will  suffice,  with  frugality,  to  main- 
tain me  till  my  departure  and  defray  the  expenses  of  my 
being  called  to  the  bar.  All  that  I  shall  then  want  further 
will  be  some  £30  or  £40  for  my  gown  and  tie-wig,  a  suit  of 
clothes,  my  sea-stores  and  passage.  Easter  Term  is  in  May, 
but  I  cannot  take  the  oaths  vintil  about  the  middle  of  June  ; 
after  which  I  shall  leave  in  the  first  vessel.  In  the  mean- 
time, I  hope  you  will  furnish  me  with  the  money  necessary 
to  complete  my  affairs  with  advantage,  and  to  quit  England 
with  credit. 


19 

I  mentioned  in  my  last,  that  Mr.  Leybourne  had  desired 
his  nephew,  Mr.  Taylor,  in  Lisbon,  to  send  you  some  of  his 
best  vine-cuttings,  with  directions  about  planting  them.  He 
is  now  advised  that  they  were  shipt  to  you  in  the  "  Entwis- 
tle,"  Capt.  Smith,  from  Lisbon  to  PhiFa.  I  hope  they  will 
get  safe  to  hand,  and  in  good  time. 


JOHN  SWIFT  TO  GROSVENOR  BEDFORD,  ESQ.,  GENERAL 
EXCISE  OFFICE,  LONDON. 

Ajn-il  21th,  1749. 

Dear  Sir  : — Your  writing  to  me  when  in  so  painful  a 
condition,  is.  an  unquestionable  proof  of  your  good  natvirc 
and  sincerity.  I  am  very  sorry  to  hear  of  your  being  so 
often  visited  by  that  vile,  troublesome  gout,  and  sincerely 
wish  you  could  fall  upon  some  method  to  get  clear  of  it,  be- 
fore it  is  too  strongly  fixed  upon  your  constitution.  Why 
should  you  be  placed  in  such  a  manner,  when  there  are 
people  enough  in  the  world  that  are  much  better  able  to 
bear  it  than  you  are?  Drinking  tar  water  is  found  in  this 
part  of  the  world  to  be  a  remedy  against  it,  I  have  heard  of 
several  that  have  kept  it  off  by  that  means,  particularly  one 
Mr.  Alexander,  of  New  York,  who  used  to  have  it  every 
year  very  violently,  and  since  he  has  used  tar  water,  has 
had  but  very  slight  fits,  and  not  so  often  as  before. 


CH.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  SEIPPEN. 

London,  August  2d,  1749. 

Dear  Joe  : — I  received  your  letters  via  Ireland,  and  per 
Arthur,  and  perceive  the  great  sympathy  you  have  in  every 


20 

tiling  that  happens  to  your  brother,  which,  if  it  were  possi- 
ble, would  endear  uie  to  you  more  than  ever :  your  kind 
concern  on  hearing  of  my  danger  at  sea,  and  your  joy  on 
my  deliverance,  are  marks  of  a  sincere  esteem  and  regard  for 
me.  And  I  am  also  as  sensible  of  and  grateful  for  mammy's 
interesting  herself  so  much  in  my  welfare  :  I  charge  you,  give 
her  my  sincere  thanks. 

You  tell  me  you  have  been  to  school  the  last  winter,  to 
improve  yourself  in  Latin  and  to  prepare  you  for  the  Col- 
lege. I  would  take  the  liberty  to  press  you  to  pursue  learn- 
ing with  a  great  deal  of  assiduity.  You  are  now  in  a  time 
of  life  the  most  proper  to  lay  a  foundation  for  being  a  man 
of  consequence.  You  have  nothing  to  perplex  you  or  take 
your  mind  from  study  :  all  the  conveniences  and  blessings 
of  life  are  provided  for  you  in  great  plenty.  If  ever  you 
travel,  you'll  find  how  men  of  letters  are  everywhere  re- 
spected ;  you'll  see  the  ascendancy  the  knowing  man  has 
over  the  blockhead ;  you'll  have  a  friend  in  your  learning 
which  you  can  never  be  deprived  of,  a  friend  which  will 
stand  by  you  when  all  others  fail.  Be  a  man  of  learning, 
and  you'll  be  a  man  of  consequence  wherever  you  go.  Take 
this  advice,  dear  Joe,  as  from  a  brother  who  loves  you  dear- 
ly, and  has  your  future  well-being  in  life  greatly  at  heart. 

As  I  am  busy  writing  several  other  letters,  you'll  excuse 
this  short  one  from,  dear  Joe,  your  loving  brother. 


CH.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  SIIIPPEN. 

Lon(?07i,  Scptemher  14^7;,  1749. 

Dear  Joe  : — I  have  received  your  acceptable  letter  of 
the  22d  July,  per  Child,  enclosing  invoice  and  bill  of  lading 


21 

for  a  box  of  skins,  per  Clark,  and  covering  copy  of  your 
favor  per  that  vessel.  I  am  afraid  your  first  adventure  will 
prove  unfortunate,  as  we  have  had  an  account  of  Clark's 
springing  aleak  and  being  obliged  to  put  into  Rhode  Island. 
So  that  possibly  the  skins  may  be  damaged  by  the  sea ;  or, 
if  not,  their  being  kept  so  long  a  time  packed  in  the  sum- 
mer season,  may  be  a  means  of  their  breeding  worms.  But, 
however,  let  us  hope  for  the  best. 

I  am  extremely  pleased  to  hear  of  your  fondness  for  books, 
and  shall  take  care  to  furnish  you  with  such  as  will  be  of 
real  service  to  you;  for  two-thirds  of  the  books  in  the  world 
had  much  better  be  burnt  than  read,  as  they  only  serve  to 
fill  the  minds  of  young  people  with  wrong  pi'ejudices. 


EDWARD    SIIIPPEN    (CH.  J.)    TO   JOSEPH    SHIPPEN  (COL.)  AT 
NASSAU    HALL. 

PMladelpMa,  June  \oth,  1751. 

Dear  Brother  :— I  received  yours  by  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Dove,  and  am  thankful  for  your  description  of  Passaic  Falls, 
which  upon  examination  I  find  very  accurate,  and  hope  ere 
long  to  have  the  pleasure  of  viewing  them.  I  find  you  make 
the  perpendicular  fall  to  be  but  60  feet,  yet  it  has  been  ge- 
nerally called  70.  But  these  things  are  often  exaggerated 
by  travelers,  who  have  a  greater  itch  for  telling  strange 
things,  than  candor  to  describe  them  justly.  I  observe  you 
mention  nothing  of  the  rent  in  the  rock,  of  which  I  have 
frequently  heard  very  pompous  accounts.  If  you  remember 
anything  of  that  sort,  do  mention  it  in  your  next. 

I  could  wish  you  would  inform  me  what  books  you  are 
reading;  I  mean  in  ethics  or  philosophy.     As  to  logic,  it  is 


22 

well  enough  to  make  that  a  small  part  of  your  study,  but 
don't  rely  much  on  it.  It  has  misled  many,  and  instead  of 
aiding  in  the  investigation  of  truth,  has  been  mostly  used  to 
support  the  greatest  sophistry.  The  great  Mr.  Locke  is  of 
opinion,  that  syllogism  is  far  from  being  the  usefullest  way 
of  exercising  our  reasoning  faculties :  that  we  can  observe 
the  connection  of  proofs  in  their  plain  and  natural  order, 
much  better  than  in  the  perplexed  repetitions  of  a  number 
of  syllogisms.  But  this  only  by  the  way,  as  I  would  not 
have  you  neglect  the  schoolmen's  knowledge,  though  you 
may  never  have  occasion  to  use  it.  It  may  enable  you  to 
detect  falsehood  when  disguised  in  syllogism. 

I  have  no  news  to  acquaint  you  with.  Your  father  is  at 
Susquehanna.  All  are  well  at  home,  and  desire  to  be  re- 
membered. Yesterday  died  old  Mrs.  Gray,  your  mammy's 
aunt.     Eemember  me  to  Mr.  Burr.* 


EDWARD    SniPPEN,    OP    LANCASTER,    TO    COL.    BURD,    AT 
SHIPPENSBURG. 

Philadelphia,  Nov.  S(h,  1752. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — After  speaking  of  some  sheep  and 
farm  aifairs,  he  says  : — "  Tell  Sally,  her  Aunt  Robeson  went 
off  like  a  lamb.  I  attended  her  funeral  last  night.  Captain 
Stirling"!"  arrived  yesterday  in  five  weeks  from  London,  but 
did  not  bring  over  Mr.  John  Penn  as  was  expected.  Mr. 
Thomas  Penn  is  certainly  to  be  here  next  spring,  with  his 
lady  and  family.     Josey|  sets  off  next  Monday  for  the  Col- 

*  President  of  the  college. 

f  m.   Mr.   Shippen's  niece,  Miss  Willing.      He  was  afterwards 
Sir  Walter  Stirling,  &c. — Burke's  Peerage. 
X  Afterwards  Col.  Shippen. 


23 

lege.  To-morrow  all  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the  town 
are  to  drink  Lis  majesty's  health  at  Bush  Hill;  and  after 
dinner,  they  are  to  wait  upon  the  ladies  in  town,  and  eonduct 
them  to  the  State-House  to  a  ball  in  the  Assembly  E.oom, 
and  after  a  dance  or  two  all  hands  are  to  go  up  stairs. 


EDWARD   SHIPPEN  (cn.  J.)  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  Sejotember  Ibth,  1753. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — Mr.  Allen  returned  a  few  days  ago  from 
the  sea-side,  and  has  brought  Mrs.  Allen  pretty  much  in 
the  same  condition  he  carried  her  away,  in  much  danger. 

We  begin  to  be  apprehensive  that  General  Forbes  does  not 
mean  to  go  on  with  the  Expedition,  as  he  talks  of  not  being 
able  to  get  wagons,  and  of  laying  the  fault  of  the  failure  of 
the  expedition  to  the  Province. 

Bradstreet,  yonr  countryman,  has  done  bravely.  Saying 
Provincials  are  worthless  troops,  won't  go  down,  now;  and 
the  story  that  the  repulse  at  Cavillon  was  owing  to  the 
backwardness  of  the  irregulars,  won't  be  believed  in  Eng- 
land when  they  hear  that  an  American,  with  about  3000 
Provincials,  marched  into  the  very  heart  of  the  enemy's 
country,  and  took  a  fortress  which  is  the  very  key  to  all  the 
French  settlements  on  the  Lakes, 


EDW'd  SHIPPEN  TO  MR.  AND  MRS.  BURD,  AT  SHIPPENSBURQ. 

Lancaster,  Sept.  1\th,  1753. 
Dear  Children  : — I  hope  to  find  myself  better  in  the 


24 

morning,  so  as  to  be  fit  for  traveling  to  Carlisle  to  the 
treaty,  as  the  Governor  cannot  attend.  Mr.  Weiser* 
wrote  to"  me  yesterday,  that  he  expected  Mr.  Peters  to 
be  at  his  house  to-night,  by  a  letter  which  the  Governor 
had  sent  him.  But  Mr.  James  Foley  says,  that  Messrs. 
Isaac  Norris,  the  Speaker  of  the  Assembly,  Richard 
Peters,  and  Benjamin  Franklin,  were  appointed  to  go  to 
Carlisle,  and  that  they  said  they  should  be  here  this 
evening.  Mr.  Weiser  hopes  to  have  my  company  at  the 
treaty;  but  as  the  Governor  thought  I  should  be  setting 
out  for  Newark,"!"  he  did  not  write,  lest  it  should  baulk  me, 
but  waited  for  my  return  until  yesterday's  express.  I,  how- 
ever, had  outrun  my  time.  If  I  am  well,  and  Mr.  Peters 
presses  me  to  go,  I  shall  not  refuse ;  and,  even  if  I  don't 
see  him,  I  don't  know  but  that  I  may  go,  for,  without  vani- 
ty, I  imagine  I  may  be  very  useful  on  that  important  occa- 
sion. 

If  I  should  build  a  mill,  or  mills,  at  Shippensburg,  I  shall 
let  you  have  the  management  and  benefit  of  it,  or  them,  un- 
til further  orders,  or  until  I  should  live  there,  which  may 
not  be  impossible.  Yet  don't  hint  such  a  word  for  the 
world.  If  I  were  ever  to  set  up  a  grist-mill,  I  could  not 
bear  the  thoughts  of  paying  through  the  nose  to  Findley 
for  joists  and  boards;  so  I  think  I  had  better  erect  a  saw- 
mill, without  a  cover,  first  of  all,  which  will  work  for  itself 
and  the  grist-mill  too,  and  the  same  dam  and  race  will  an- 
swer for  both  mills.     If  there  should  be  but  water  enough 

*  Col.  Conrad  Weiser,  so  well  and  deservedly  known  in  the  pro- 
vincial history  of  Pennsylvania.  For  an  extended  notice  of  him, 
see  History  of  Berks  and  Lebanon,  by  J.  Daniel  Rupp  ;  {Lancaster , 
1844),  p.  195,  tt.  seq.  ;  also  p.  40,  <5"c. 

f  Mr.  Shippen  took  an  active  interest  in  the  re^ioval  of  <•  the 
College  of  New  Jersey,"  from  Newark  to  Princetow, 


25 

for  one  at  a  time,  T  am  for  going  on  with  the  project,  so  I 
can  only  see  my  way  clear.  Perhaps  Ben.  Chambers  can 
build  saw-mills  as  well  as  any  man ;  but  I  intend  soon, 
please  God,  to  consult  Moses  Dickey,  who  lives  near  John 
Harris.  I  would  have  an  overshot  wheel.  It  is  only  going 
to  a  little  more  expense  in  the  race,  and  then  at  the  end  of 
it  to  place  troughs  about  100  feet  long.  As  you  go  along 
the  road  to  Virginia,  you  may  take  notice  of  Ben.  Cham- 
bers' saw-mill,  where  he  does  without  any  dam  at  all :  a 
glorious  thing  !  formed  by  nature. 

I  am,  with  love  to  yourselves  and  the  ducky  children, 
your  loving  father. 

P.  S. — Since  the  above,  Mr.  Peters  came  here,  and  I  shall 
carry  this  letter  to  Carlisle. 


EDW'd  shipped  to  his  son  EDWARD  (CH.  J.)  AT  PHILAD'a. 

Lancaster,  March  20(h,  1754. 

My'  Dear  Son  : — My  son  Joe  and  myself  get  up  every 
morning  at  about  sunrise,  having  prepared  over  night 
some  dry  hickory  for  a  good  fire.  We  then  sit  close  to 
our  business  till  9  o'clock,  and  find  we  can  do  more  in 
that  time  than  all  the  rest  of  the  day,  as  we  are  after- 
wards often  interrupted.  Neither  do  we  receive  visits, 
nor  return  any,  until  it  is  near  sunset,  and  we  eat  so 
moderately,  without  tasting  a  drop  of  strong  liquor,  that 
the  whole  day  seems  like  a  long  morning  to  us;  and  if  a 
best  friend  should  happen  to  come  to  saunter  away  an  hour 
or  two  with  us,  we  make  it  a  fixed  rule  plainly  to  tell  him 
that  we  are  so  engaged  that  we  cannot  possibly  wait  upon 
him.     And  then,  that  we  may  be  sufficiently  refreshed  with 

B 


26 

sleep,  we  have  agreed  upon  ten  o'clock  at  night  for  going  to 
bed;  and  so,  after  eating  a  light  supper,  and  drinking  a  lit- 
tle wine,  we  lay  ourselves  down  with  light  stomachs,  cool 
heads,  and  quiet  consciences.  Now  this  practice  I  most 
affectionately  recommend  to  you.  Your  promotion  and  hap- 
piness in  this  vexatious  world  will  depend  principally  upon 
your  own  conduct,  and  the  more  the  world  sees  you  are  able 
to  do  for  yourself,  the  more  ready  it  will  be  to  offer  you  its 
best  services.  It  is  too  common  a  thing  for  young  men, 
when  they  first  appear  upon  the  stage  of  action,  to  aim  at 
grandeur  and  politeness.  They  delight  to  see  their  friends 
(often  falsely  so  called)  frequently  at  their  houses,  and  to 
entertain  them  in  a  genteel  manner.  The  friends  are  pleased 
with  this,  and  bring  other  acquaintances  with  them  to  dine, 
&c.  Then  afterwards  they  sit  at  table  two  or  three  hours, 
tippling  of  wine  and  punch,  which,  rendering  the  company 
unfit  for  any  business,  a  walk  to  the  bowling-green,  or  to  the 
billiard-table,  is  proposed  and  consented  to,  and  on  their  re- 
turn from  thence  in  the  evening,  instead  of  being  calm  and 
cool,  and  having  the  pleasure  of  reflecting  upon  a  well-spent 
day,  either  for  the  advantage  of  their  family  or  the  public, 
or  both,  they  are  become  so  stupid  that  they  don't  know 
what  to  do  with  themselves,  but  either  go  to  tavern  or  to 
one  or  other  of  their  houses,  to  drink  away  care  till  the  clock 
strikes  twelve ;  and  then  being  quite  devils  and  quite  beasts, 
they  stagger  away  home  to  snore  and  groan  by  the  sides  of 
their  poor  innocent  young  wives,  who  deserve  ten  thousand 
better  things  at  their  hands.  And  all  this  after  the  poor 
■young  things  have  been  moping  at  home  and  bemoaning 
themselves  of  their  hard  fate,  and  crying  out  a  hundred 
times  in  an  evening — "  Well,  if  these  be  the  pleasures  of 
matrimony,  would  to  heaven  we  had  remained  under  our 


27 

parents'  roofs  !"  But  to  return.  When  they  have  wallowed 
in  their  beds  till  about  eleven  o'clock  next  morning,  then 
they  raise  their  unclean  bodies  in  order  to  act  the  same  part 
over  again.  Can  any  rational  creature  excuse  such  a  be- 
haviour to  God,  his  wife  and  family,  or  even  to  himself? 
Will  not  the  practice  of  these  things  bring  a  man  into  con- 
tempt, and  soon  reduce  him  to  penury  and  want,  by  destroy- 
ing his  constitution,  and  of  coui'se  his  capacity  for  his  em- 
ployment ?  A  young  married  man  should  be  very  diligent, 
frugal,  and  careful,  that  he  may  not  only  be  able  to  always 
support  himself,  his  wife,  and  a  houseful  of  children,  but 
also  to  lay  up  a  hundred  or  two  pounds  for  every  one  of  them 
when  they  go  out  into  the  wide,  wide  world.  Young  folks 
ought  never  to  begin  where  their  industrious,  saving  parents 
left  off.  I  have  almost  gone  through  the  world,  and  have 
gained  a  little  experience  by  my  own  mistakes  and  blunders, 
having  had  no  friends  to  advise  me,  as  you  and  your  brother 
and  sister  have ;  and  therefore  I  hope  you  will  all  three  of 
you  be_  always  ready  and  willing  to  obey  my  instructions. 
You  are  not  able  to  conceive,  without  great  consideration, 
the  unspeakable  advantage  of  having  a  bosom  friend,  who 
always  has  and  always  will  make  your  happiness  his  stucl}^ ; 
and,  whilst  others  will  behave  and  speak  to  you  as  suits  their 
interests,  he  will  never  tell  you  anything  but  the  truth. 
But  of  counsel,  as  valuable  as  this  is,  you  are  soon  to  be  de- 
prived ;  for,  according  to  the  course  of  nature,  I  cannot  stay 
■  long  here,  even  if  I  lived  beyond  the  usual  age  of  a  man. 
However,  we  must  all  wait  till  the  change  comes;  and  were 
I  sure  it  was  very  near  at  hand,  I  hope  it  would  not  be 
grievous  but  joyous  ;  and,  as  I  know  that  I  then  must  hold 
up  my  hand  at  the  bar  of  God,  I  am.  resolved,  by  Divine 
assistance,  to  work  out  my  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling. 


28 

But  I  have  made  a  digression,  I  am  not  able  to  express 
the  great  anxiety  with  which  I  have  supported  and  educated 
my  children  ;  so  I  say  no  more  on  that  head.  Avoid  what 
the  world  calls  pleasure.  Pleasure  is  only  for  crowned  heads, 
and  the  great,  who  have  their  incomes,  sleeping  and  waking. 
But  young  men,  who  are  just  beginning  the  world,  ought  to 
shudder  at  the  thought  of  spending  their  youthful  days  in 
idleness.  Not  that  I  would  refuse  young  people  innocent 
diversons,  provided  they  are  well  timed  and  not  too  frequent. 
If  you  seek  pleasure,  you  will  find  it  in  temperance  and  so- 
briety, charity  and  virtue,  and  in  the  diligent  and  honest 
pursuits  of  your  concerns.  Will  it  not  yield  a  man  the 
greatest  satisfaction  in  the  evening,  to  think  he  has  been 
closely  employed  all  day  for  the  support  of  the  friend  of 
his  bosom  and  his  little  babes,  all  hovering  about  him  ? 
How  sweet  and  refreshing  is  it  for  man  and  wife  often  to 
spend  their  evenings  together  at  home,  without  any  other 
company  ?  For  my  own  part,  rather  than  be  deprived  by 
my  very  best  friends  of  such  a  pleasure  sometimes,  I  should 
choose  to  retire  into  our  chambers,  so  that  even  our  own  ser- 
vants should  not  know  where  to  find  us  out.  But  I  have 
not  done  with  our  own  method  of  husbanding  otir  precious 
time.  Go  to  your  cousin  Allen.  Opulent  as  he  is,  you  will 
find  him  up  early,  and  busily  employed  until  coffee-house 
hours ;  and,  when  he  invites  any  number  of  gentlemen  to 
dinner,  (which  he  can  so  well  afford,)  he  soon  desires  the 
favor  of  being  excused  from  drinking,  and  this  without 
blushing.  Visit  Mr.  Francis,  Mr.  Turner,  Mr.  Willing,  and 
other  temperate,  industrious  gentlemen, — I  mean  in  the  day 
time, — and  you  will  presently  see  by  their  countenances  that 
they  would  rather  have  your  room  than  your  company,  I 
desire  you  will  never  go  a  fishing  to  the  capes  or  any  other 


29 

dangerous  place,  nor  keep  company  with  any  ruinous  set  of 
companions. 

Remember,  if  a  man  should  spend  3s.  in  liquor,  necessarily 
or  otherwise,  in  his  own  house,  every  day,  and  3s.  Gd.  at 
club  every  night,  and  £3  at  the  assembly,  and  £4  per  annum 
for  the  concert,  it  will  require  £125  12s.  6d.  to  support  such 
proceedings.  And  remember,  if  a  man  rises  from  the  break- 
fast table  at  eleven,  dines  alone  and  sits  till  three,  goes  to  the 
coffee-house  at  the  end  of  the  day  ;  I  say,  if  a  man  is  guilty 
of  such  practices,  then  he  will  only  have  three  hours  a  day 
for  his  busisess,  and  no  time  at  all  for  his  studies. 

This  letter  I  write,  God  knows,  with  my  heart  full  of  love 
and  affection,  for  your  instruction  as  far  as  you  may  stand  in 
need  of  it ;  and  I  desire  you  will  lock  it  up  in  your  drawer, 
for  my  sake.  I  have  a  copy  in  my  own  hand-writing,  which 
I  shall  keep.  Consider  !  Consider  it  j  and  may  God  bless 
and  preserve  you,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  DR.  WM.  SHIPPEN. 

Lancaster,  3Iarch  27th,  1754. 

Dear  Doctor  : — Yesterday  I  was  favored  with  yours  of 
the  13th  of  February,  perfumed  with  drugs  and  herbs  as  if 
it  had  been  an  apothecary's  advertisement,  just  taken  out  of 
a  box  newly  arrived  from  England.  And  to-day  at  one 
o'clock,  I  received  yours  of  the  25th  instant,  enclosing  a 
deed  for  me  to  sign,  for  the  benefit  of  poor  Joe;  and,  if  it 
had  not  been  to  serve  a  brother,  I  will  assure  him  I  would 
not  have  done  it  to  alienate  the  one  foot  whereon  his  kitchen 
stands. 


30 

I  have  not  bad  a  good  opportunity  since  the  last  adjourn- 
ment of  our  assembly,  to  speak  with  any  of  our  members 
except  Cowpland  Cowper,  (a  friend,)  about  their  not  allow- 
ing a  handsome  salary  to  the  King's  attorney.  I  fancy  it  is 
the  man  that  stands  in  the  way,  and  that  they  would  be  glad 
for  an  opportunity  to  say  to  one  another — '  Come,  since  his 
'  Honor,  the  Governor,  has  appointed  to  that  high  station 
'  of  prosecuting  for  the  Crown,  a  young  gentleman  born  among 
'  us,  and  educated  at  the  Inn's  Court,  let  us,  for  his  encourage- 
'  ment,  vote  him  an  hundred  pounds  sterling  per  annum.' 

Neddy  tells  me  that  Mr.  Francis  would  resign  to  him  im- 
mediately, if  he  would  accept  the  commission ;  nay,  he  is 
amazed  he  should  hesitate  a  moment  about  it,  even  should 
he  never  get  a  salary.  I  believe  Mr.  Allen  has  the  mat- 
ter tinder  consideration.  We  all  think  that  now  is  the 
time  for  the  change,  for  if  the  new  Grovernor  should 
favor  us  with  a  commission,  yet  we  would  rather  be 
obliged  to  the  Hon.  James  Hamilton  for  it;  and  if  the 
clerik's  place  of  the  Supreme  Court  should  fall  to  Johnny 
Lawrence's  share,  his  mouth  would  be  quite  made  up, 
considering  he  is  Clerk  of  the  Quarter  Sessions  already; 
and  these  things  would  be  so  pleasing  to  Mr.  Lawrence's 
family,  that  they  would  not  be  so  jealous  of  Neddy's  run- 
ning away  with  too  many  favors  from  Mr.  Francis.  I  don't 
suppose  that  when  Mr.  Francis  did  all  the  business,  he 
received  more  than  one  hundred  pounds  a  year  for  all  the 
Courts  in  the  Province.  He  has  more  influence  on  the 
Speaker  than  any  man  in  the  world.  Messrs.  John  and 
James  Wright  are  also  his  great  favorites ;  and  as  to 
Bennie  Franklin,  Esq.,  if  he  did  but  know  how  Mr.  Allen 
stands  affected  to  Ned,  he  would  for  a  weighty  reason  turn 
some   wheel  to  get  a  salary  fixed  upon  the  oflQcer  before 


31 

mentioned.  However,  I  am  in  hopes  there  will  be  a  har- 
mony between  the  Governor  and  the  Assembly,  at  the  next 
Convention,  and  if  our  friends  should  advise  Ned  to  accept 
of  the  commission  befoi-e  mentioned,  perhaps  a  petition  for 
an  allowance  to  the  King's  attorney  may  be  encouraged. 


JOSEPH    SHIPPEN    (col.)    TO   JAMES   BURD    (COL.)    AT  SHIP- 
PENSBURG. 

Lancaster,  April  2d,  1754. 

Dear  Brother  : — In  the  course  of  my  reading  I  hap- 
pened, the  other  day,  to  meet  with  a  very  beautiful  poem, 
entitled  "  The  Hop-Garden,"*  lately  composed  by  the  inge- 
nious Mr.  Smart ;  from  which  I  collected  the  substance  of 
what  he  says  with  regard  to  the  raising  of  hops ;  which, 
I  think,  very  good,  so  I  have,  therefore,  now  enclosed 
them  to  you,  that  they  may  not  lay  eternally  buried  in 
theory,  (as  many  excellent  mechanical  and  other  inventions 
do,)  without  being  reduced  to  practice,  especially  as  I  am 
sensible  you  have  not  been  negligent  in  exercising  your 
thoughts  on  the  rational  science  of  agriculture.  I  hope  you 
will  excuse  my  presumption  in  giving  you  any  rules  on  this 
head,  since  I  don't  pretend  to  even  a  smattering  knowledge 
of  husbandry.  Indeed,  I  acknowledge  myself  an  entire  no- 
vice in  it.  However,  this  confession  won't  debar  me  from 
being  Mr.  Smart's  amanuensis. 

The  other  day  there  was  a  rumor  throughout  the  city  of 
Philadelphia  of  a  French  war,  and  it  filled  up  the  whole  con- 
versation of  the  town  for  a  day  or  two,  when  it  was  ridiculed 

*  The  Hop-Garden,  an  English  Georgic,  &c.,  by  Chi'istopher 
Smaxt.     London,  1752. 


32 

as  false,  the  report  being  occasioned  by  tbe  arrival  of  one  of 
his  majesty's  ships  at  New  York.  However,  it  is  imagined 
she  may  have  brought  some  instructions  relating  to  the 
French  encroachments  upon  our  frontiers.  But  of  this,  I 
suppose,  we  shall  be  satisfied  soon. 

The  Freemasons  in  Philadelphia  are  now  erecting  in  Se- 
cond street,  somewhere  behind  Billy  Logan's  new  house,  a 
noble  and  spacious  building  for  their  Lodge,  which  they  will 
so  contrive  as  to  serve  the  purpose  of  a  fine  assembly  room  j 
and  they  intend  to  receive  a  rent  per  annum  for  that  use 
of  it. 


CHARLES  THOMSON  TO  JOSEPH  SHIPPEN,  JR.,  (COL.) 

Philadelphia,  January  31s<,  1755. 

Dear  Sir  :— Were  I  to  give  you,  for  news,  the  conjec- 
tures with  which  our  town  now  abounds,  I  might  fill  a 
sheet;  I  shall  therefore  confine  myself  to  truth. 

We  have  had  Mr.  Shirley  here  for  some  time,  recruiting. 
He  has  got  pretty  near  one  hundred  men.  On  Sunday  or 
Monday,  they  are  to  be  shipped  off  for  Boston  or  Rhode 
Island.  The  Lieutenant  Colonels  Mercer  and  Elisson,  left 
town  Tuesday. 

We  have  now  in  town  several  officers,  among  which  I 
hear  is  the  Commissary  General. 

Our  accounts  from  Boston  are  various,  none  certainly  to 
be  depended  on,  except  that  they  seem  intent  on  something 
of  importance.  Letters  from  London,  advise  that  the  affairs 
of  the  colonies  are  under  the  consideration  of  the  parlia- 
ment; that  the  union  of  the  colonies  has  for  some  time 
been  deliberated  on,  and  'tis  thought  will  soon  be  brought 


33 

to  bear,  au  eveut  much  to  be  desired,  since  it  effectually 
will  secure  us  from  the  insults  of  our  haughty  aspiring 
neighbors,  the  French,  and  make  our  security  independent 
of  the  fickle  humor  of  our  Indian  allies. 

Whatever  news  occurs  worth  mentioning,  you  may  expect 
in  my  next,  iu  the  mean  time,  let  me  conclude  with  assur- 
ing you, 

I  am,  with  much  esteem,  your  hearty 

well-wisher  and  humble  servant, 

CHARLES  THOMSON  * 
P.  S. — Please  to  make  my  compliments  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Shippen. 

I  should  be  glad  you  would  inform  Mr.  Shippen,  that  as 
the  five  years  for  which  the  subscriptions  were  made  to  the 
academyf  are  now  expired,  and  as  the  disbursements  have 
been  great,  the  trustees  desire  that  the  gentlemen  who  have 
subscribed  would,  as  soon  as  possible,  send  in  to  me  what 
remains  due. 

In  the  list  of  outstandings  given  to  me,  is  marked :  IMr. 
Edward  Shippen,  at  £10,  his  fourth  and  fifth  payment, 
£20. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN,  (CH.  J.,)  TO  EDWARD  SHIPPEN,  AT 
LANCASTER. 

PhiladelpMa,  February  list,  1755. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — I  was  pleasing  myself  with  the  thoughts  of 
your  eating  some  of  our  fine  Rhode  Island  oysters.  I  had 
prepared  a  barrel  of  them  to  go  in  Spore's  wagon.     He  told 

*  Afterwards  the  Secretary  to  Congress. 

t  Since  grown  into  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. — "History 
of  the  University,"  by  Dr.  Geo.  B.  Wood.     Pub.  by  order,  &c. 


84 

Sammy,  be  sliould  not  set  oif  till  this  afteruoon,  but,  to  my 
great  disappointment,  on  sending  at  8  o'clock  tbis  morning, 
I  found  that  his,  and  all  the  other  wagons  were  gone.  I 
bad  also  packed  up  all  the  books  you  desired  in  a  little 
bundle,  to  send  you  by  the  same  opportunity.  I  believe 
the  oysters  will  keep,  so  .they  shall  remain  in  the  barrel  till 
the  next  opportunity.  They  are  the  first  Rhode  Island  oysters 
we  have  bad  this  year,  or  you  should  not  have  been  without 
some  so  long.  But  I  thought  it  hardly  worth  while  to  send 
you  our  common  bay  oysters,  which  have  been  remarkably 
bad  this  year. 


EDWARD   SHIPPEN,   (CII.  J  ,)   TO   HIS    FATHER,  AT 
LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  March  13/A,  1755. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — You  desire  to  know  the  reason  of  the  As- 
sembly's being  called  together.  You  will  see,  by  the  papers, 
that  General  Braddock  is  arrived  in  Virginia,  and  our  Go- 
vernor has  directions  to  get  the  Assembly  to  cut  a  road  of 
one  hundred  feet  from  Conogocheague  to  Will's  Creek,  for 
the  troops.  The  Governor  is  also  to  get  provisions  for  the 
New  England  troops,  that  are  to  march  through  the  Pro- 
vince. Governor  Shirley  has  raised  five  thousand  men  for 
a  secret  expedition.  The  design  has  been  concealed  from 
all  the  world,  except  the  Council  and  Assembly  of  Massa- 
chusetts Bay,  and  every  member  has  taken  the  oath  of 
secrecy.  The  New  England  men  are  now  esteemed  the 
champions  of  the  American  world. 

Tummy  Willing  has  still  some  of  the  old  wine,  but  no 
doubt  the  best  pipes  have  been  culled  out. 


35 


EDWARD  SniPPEN,  (CH.  J.,)  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT 
SHIPPENSBURG. 

FhiladeJphia,  March  \^th,  1755. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — The  Governor  has  laid  before  the  Assembly 
a  most  alarming  letter,  from  General  Braddock,  •which 
charges  them  in  strong  terms  with  faction  and  disaffection, 
and  assures  them,  that,  as  the  assigning  quarters  for  the 
army  is  his  province,  he  shall  take  due  care  to  burthen 
those  colonies  the  most,  that  show  the  least  loyalty  to  his 
Majesty;  and  lets  them  know  that  he  is  determined  to  ob- 
tain, by  unpleasant  methods,  what  it  is  their  duty  to  con- 
tribute with  the  utmost  cheerfulness.  The  Assembly  know 
not  how  to  stomach  this  military  address,  but  'tis  thought 
it  will  frighten  them  into  some  reasonable  measures,  as  it 
must  be  a  vain  thing  to  contend  with  a  General  at  the  head 
of  an  army,  though  he  should  act  an  arbitrary  part;  espe- 
cially as  in  all  probability  he  will  be  supported  in  every- 
thing at  home. 

Please  to  tell  Josey  that  Riley  has  lost  two  hundred  dol- 
lars, by  insuring  tickets  in  the  lottery.  It  seems,  he  insured 
but  six  hundred  instead  of  ei";ht  hundred  tickets. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN;  (OH.  J.,)  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  March  21st,  1755. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — Agreeably  to  your  directions,  I  have  sent 
you  the  early  peas  and  a  collection  of  garden  seeds,  which  I 
hope  will  prove  to  your  satisfaction ;  radish  seeds  I  can  get 
from  nobody  but  Duberry.     If  the  bearer  should  not  set 


36 

off  very  early  in  the  morning,  I  will  send  some  by  him, 
otherwise,  by  the  next  safe  hand. 

States  Morris*  has  been  in  the  country  several  days,  I 
cannot  learn  when  he  is  to  be  at  Lancaster. 

Thomas  Riley,  who  so  burnt  his  fingers  with  the  last  lot- 
tery, has  a  scheme  to  make  money  by  the  next,  by  pur- 
chasing the  blanks  in  the  first,  second  and  third  classes. 

Two  Commissioners  are  arrived  from  Boston,  viz :  Mr. 
Oliver  and  Mr.  Quincy. 


LETTER  FROM  THE  COMMISSIONERS  TO  THE  GOVERNOR  OF 
PENNSYLVANIA. 

Fort  Cumherland,  April  IQtJi,  1755. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — In  pursuance  of  your  commission,  we  set 
out  on  the  road  from  Carlisle  on  the  29th  of  March,  and 
with  the  greatest  industry  reached  the  waters  of  the  Yohio- 
gain  on  the  11th  inst.  We  stopped  at  about  eighteen  mile^ 
on  this  side  of  the  forks,  and  would  have  proceeded  further, 
had  we  not  had  certain  intelligence  of  great  numbers  of 
French  and  Indians  hunting  and  scouting,  &c.  Our  Indians 
all  fled  from  us :  some  at  Reastown,  some  on  the  Alleghany 
hills,  save  one  Delaware. 

We  were  very  fortunate  in  finding  a  good  road  all  the 
way,  and  particularly  through  the  Alleghany  hills,  con- 
sidei'ing  how  mountainous  that  country  is. 

From  Barnall's  Knob  to  McDowell's  Mill,  is  about  sixty 
miles,  and,  were  it  not  for  the  interposition  of  mountains, 

*  A  brother  of  Lewis  and  Gouverneur  Morris.  He  went  to  Eng- 
land and  became  a  M.  P.  and  a  Lieut.  General  in  the  British  army. 
He  married  the  Duchess  of  Gordon.  See  Sabine's  Loyalists,  a.  v. 
Williins. 


37 

would  not  be  so  far  by  ten  or  fifteen  miles.  The  expense 
of  making  a  road  thirteen  feet  wide,  in  the  principal  places 
twenty  feet,  will  be  about  eight  hundred  pounds. 

Last  Saturday  evening  we  came  to  the  camp,  and  were 
kindly  received  by  the  officers,  particularly  Captain  Kuther- 
ford.     We  waited  for  Sir  John's  coming  to  the  camp,  from 
the  road  towards  Winchester.     He  came  this  day  at  three 
o'clock,  but  treated  us  in  a  very  disagreeable  manner.     He 
is  extremely  warm  and  angry  at  our  Province.     He  would 
not  look  at  our  draughts,  nor  suflfer  any  representations  to 
be  made  to  him,  in  regard  to  our  Province,  but  stormed  like 
a  lion  rampant.     He   said  our  commission  to  lay  out  the 
roads  should  have  issued  in  January  last,  upon  the  receipt 
of  his  first  letter,  that  it  is  now  mere  doing  of  nothing ; 
_that  the  troops  must  march  on  the  1st  of  May;  that  the 
want  of  this  road,  and  of  the  provisions  promised  by  the 
Pennsylvanians,   has  retarded  the   expedition,   which  may 
cost  them  their  lives,  because  of   the  fresh  numbers  of 
French  which   are   like  to  be  suddenly  poured   into  the 
country ;  that,  instead  of  marching  to  the  Ohio,  he  would, 
in  nine  days,  march  his  army  into  Cumberland  county,  to 
cut  roads,  press  wagons,  horses,  &c.;    that  he  would  not 
allow  a  soldier  to  handle  an  axe,  but  would,  by  the  sword, 
compel  the  inhabitants  to.  do  it,  and  take  every  man  that 
refused,  to  the  Ohio;    that  yesterday  he  told  some  of  the 
Virginians,   that  he  would  kill  all   kinds  of  cattle,  carry 
away  horses,  burn  houses,  &c.,  and  that  if  the  French  de- 
feated them  in  consequence  of  the  delays  of  this  Province, 
he  would,  with  his  sword  drawn,  pass  through  it,  and  treat 
the  inhabitants  as  traitors  to  his  master ;  that  he  would, 
to-morrow,  write  to  England  by  a  man-of-war,   shake  Mr. 
Penn's  proprietaryship,  and  represent  Pennsylvania  as  a 


disaffected  province ;  that  he  would  not  hesitate  to  impress* 
our  Assembly,  for  his  hands  were  not  tied,  and  that  we 
should  find.  He  ordered  us  to  take  notice  of  these  warn- 
ings, and  instantly  to  publish  them  to  our  Governor  and  As- 
sembly, and  tell  them  he  did  not  value  anything  they  did, 
seeing  that  they  were  dilatory,  and  retarded  the  march  of 
the  troops. f  He  told  us  to  go  to  the  General  if  we  pleased, 
who  would  give  us  ten  bad  words,  where  he  had  given  us 
one. 

At  length  he  allowed  us  to  speak,  which  we  did  in  favor 
of  the  Province,  to  the  best  of  our  ability.  Capt.  Ruther- 
foj."d  and  Col.  Ennis  assisted  us.  All  in  vain.  Our  delays 
were  unpardonable.  He  said  he  would  do  our  duty  for  us 
himself,  and  never  trust  to  us,  but  that  we  should  pay 
dearly  for  it.  To  every  sentence  he  solemnly  swore,  and 
desired  that  we  would  believe  him  to  be  in  earnest. 

In  these  circumstances,  Sir,  and  especially  as  we  have 
not  yet  run  the  camp-road,  we  cannot  send  you  a  draught, 
but  thought  it  best  to  send  forthwith  this  express,  that 
your  Honor  might  take  the  most  speedy  measures  for  open- 
ing the  road.  In  the  meantime,  we  have  taken  the  liberty 
of  writing  to  the  representatives  of  our  county,  to  inquire 
whether  the  Assembly  had  made  provision  for  opening  the 
road,  and  in  such  case,  to  encourage  the  people  to  set  about 
it  immediately ;  also,  to  send  the  flour  without  delay  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Connogocheague,  as  being  the  only  thing  left 
to  avert  the  mischiefs  threatened  by  Sir  John,  We  ac- 
quainted Capt.  Rutherford  with  our  design,  who  highly  ap- 
proved of  it. 

*  For  soldiers. 

f  I  omit  Sir  John's  Iludibrastic  expression,  "which,  though  ren- 
dered classic  by  the  genius  of  Butler,  is  still  forbidden  to  ears  and 
eyes  polite. 


39 

We  expect  to  bo  at  home  iu  six  days.  Please  to  excuse 
the  blunders  of  this  letter,  written,  as  it  is,  after  one  o'clock 
at  night. 

We  are,  Sir, 

Your  most  obcd't  and  humble  servants, 
GEORGE  CROGHAN, 
JAMES  BURD, 
WILLTA3I  BUCHANAN. 
ADAM  HOOPES.* 


REV.    RICHARD   PETERS  TO  JAS.  BURD,  (COL.,)  AT  SIDELING 
HILL,  ON  THE  NEW  PROVINCIAL  ROAD. 

Mr.  MaxwelVs,  May  llth,  1755. 

Sir  : — I  laid  down  the  road  you  are  opening,  to  the  Gene- 
ral"}" and  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  and  they  all  mightily  approve  of 
it.  The  General,  in  particular,  expressed  his  acknowledg- 
ments to  you  and  the  workmen,  and  said  that  he  would  not 
march  one  foot  to  the  northward,  until  you  came  up  to  him, 
and  assured  him  of  a  good  wagon-road  to  the  Yhioagany,  he 
would,  I  might  depend  upon  it,  stay  until  this  road  was 
finished  at  or  near  the  place  of  its  intersection  with  the 
road  of  the  army  from  Wills'  Creek  to  Monongahela  mouth. 
It  is  a  road  of  the  utmost  consequence,  as  he  expects  his 
provisions  by  this  road,  and  has  ordered  a  magazine  of  stores 
to  be  laid  in  at  Shippcnsburgh,  and  to  be  carried  to  him  in 
July  through  this  road. 

•  On  the  19th  of  April,  3  daj-s  after  date  of  foregoing,  Col.  Burd, 
Mr.  Buchanan  and  Mr.  Hoopcs,  i.ssued  "an  advertisement,"  offering 
large  pay  for  laborers  on  the  roads  laid  out  in  Cumberland  county, 
to  the  Yoyhiogain,  and  camp  at  Will's  creek. 

t  Braddock.  *- 


40 

You  are  not  to  proceed  on  the  road  to  the  camp  at  Wills' 
Creek  now,  but  make  all  despatch  possible  with  this  road  to 
the  Crowfoot  or  Yhiogany.  In  case  of  any  danger  when 
you  arc  over  the  Alleghany  hills,  apply  by  express  to  the 
General;  and,  whether  danger  or  no,  as  soon  as  you  are 
over  the  Alleghany  hills,  send  an  express  to  him  with  the 
news,  tell  him  your  numbers,  any  accidents  that  may  have 
happened,  and  the  time  when  you  think  you  shall  meet  him. 
Do  me  the  honor  to  write  me  an  account  of  your  progress, 
and  Mr.  Maxwell,  or  others  in  this  neighborhood,  will  get 
it  to  my  hands.  The  General,  the  officers,  the  whole  army 
place  their  account  on  this  road,  and  the  offsets  that  may 
be  made  from  it.     I  am,  &c.,  &c. 

This  work  will  redound  to  your  glory,  and  the  advantage 
of  Shippensburgh. 

It  is  the  General's  orders  that  the  road  be  brought  up  to 
the  very  place  through  which  the  army  passes  to  the  fort, 
on  the  Ohio ;  but  as  you  approach  him  within  ten,  fifteen, 
twenty,  or  thirty  miles,  he  will,  on  your  application,  cover 
you  and  assist  you  likewise.  You  will  be  pleased  to  make 
the  road  good  and  easy  for  wagons,  in  every  low,  stony,  or 
hilly  place.  Twenty  feet  wide  is  enough  in  any  place,  and 
fifteen  where  it  is  very  difficult.  The  change  from  thirty 
to  twenty  feet  was  judged  right  and  reasonable. 


SECRETARY  PETERS  TO  COL.  BURD  AND  THE  COMMISSIONERS 
AT  THE  NEW  ROAD. 

PMIadelphia,  June  19^7i,  1755. 

Sir  : — I  have  the  favor  of  yours.     To-day  is  the  fast-day. 
To-morrow  Mr,  Armstrong  (the  Assembly   man,)  will  be 


41 

dispatched  by  the  Assembly,  aud,  I  make  no  doubt,  will 
bring  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  with  him  to  buy  the  neces- 
sary provisions.  So  keep  up  your  spirits,  and  I  hope  your 
provisions  will  not  fail  hereafter. 

Your  conduct  is  agreeable,  aud  deserves  our  thanks. 
I  am,  Sir, 

Your  affi3ctionate,  humble,  &c. 
The  Governor  says  he  will  come  to  you,  as  soon  as  the 
Assembly  rises. 


ROBERT  H.  MORRIS,  GOVERNOR  OF  PENNSYLVANIA,  TO  COL. 
JAMES  BURD,  CUMBERLAND  CO. 

Philadelphia,  Jidi/  Zd,  1755. 

Sir  : — I  have,  by  this  post,  the  honor  of  a  letter  from 
General  Braddock,  who  desires,  '  that  as  it  is  not  pefcctly 
'  understood  in  what   part  your  road   is   to   communicate 

*  through  that  to  which  he  is  now  proceeding  to  Fort  Du- 
'  quesne,  this  may  be  immediately  settled  by  me :  and  an 
'  express  sent  after  him,  with  the  most  exact  description  of 
'  it,  that  there  may  be  no  mistake  in  a  matter  of  so  much 
'  importance.'  I  could  have  wished  the  General  had  en- 
quired this  of  you  by  a  special  messenger,  but  as  he  has 
thought  proper  to  write  to  me  upon  the  subject,  I  must 
refer  him  to  your  judgment,  not  being  able  to  form  any  of 
my  own,  for  want  of  information.  I  took  it  for  granted,  by 
the  reports  that  the  Commissioners  made  on  their  return 
from  examining  the  country,  and  laying  out  a  road  to  Mon- 
onghiale,  in  the  most  convenient  places  that  the  waters  and 
mountains  would  admit,  *  that  such  road  must  pass  by  the 

*  Turkey  Fork,  or  three  Forks  of  Yohiogany,  and  that  there 


42 

'  could  be  no  road  got  to  the  northward.'  If  I  am  right  in 
this,  then  it  should  seem  to  me  that  as  the  General's  road 
passes  through  to  the  Great  Crossings  of  Yohiogany,  which 
is  but  three  miles  from  the  junction  of  the  three  branches 
that  form  the  Turkey  Fork,  the  place  whore  the  two  roads 
can  best  meet  is  at  the  Great  Crossings,  and  that  you  must 
open  and  clear  your  road  so  far  as  that  water.  But  if  I  am 
mistaken,  and  your  own  experience  can  find  a  better  place, 
then,  after  consulting  with  all  the  persons  of  judgment 
along  with  you,  you  are  to  name  some  other  place  to  the 
General,  and  give  him  a  draught  and  oral  description  of  it, 
and  send  it  to  him  by  express,  for  which  purpose  I  have 
wrote  a  letter  to  Captain  Hog,  to  dispatch  away  one  of  his 
officers,  who  may  at  the  same  time  give  a  verbal  account  to 
the  General,  and  explain  all  matters  that  may  remain  doubt- 
ful, or  want  explanation.  I  approve  of  your  maintaining 
the  General's  detachment,  and  hope  you  make  everything 
as  agreeable  to  Captain  Hog  and  his  officers,  as  the  place 
you  are  in  will  allow. 

The  Commissioners  have  a  discretionary  power  in  all 
matters  respecting  either  the  price  of  wagons  or  provisions, 
which  I  must  desire  they  will  make  use  of  in  such  a  manner 
as  that  there  may  be  no  loss  or  hindrance  to  the  King's 
business,  or  to  the  clearing  of  the  road,  which  I  expect  will 
be  finished  time  enough  for  it  to  be  used  by  the  army  as  a 
road  of  communication  between  it  and  this  Province.  And 
you  will  likewise  take  care  that  the  Province  be  not  im- 
posed upon  by  unreasonable  and  extravagant  bills.  I  pro- 
pose to  be  at  Shippensburg  next  week,  and  there  you  may 
write  to  me  on  any  subject,  in  which  you  shall  think  my 
advice  and  acquaintance  necessary.  Pray,  consult  together 
immediately,  and  let  the  General  be  informed  by  express. 


43 

with  all  possible  expedition,  of  the  place  where  you  will 
eater  into  his  road,  with  draughts  and  an  exact  description, 
and  be  sure  mention  the  time  that  you  think  you  shall  be 
there,  to  the  General. 

Sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

ROBEllT  H.  MORmS. 


RICHARD  TETERS,  (SECRETARY,)  TO  COL.  JAMES  BURD, 
CUMBERLAND  CO. 

Pkiladeljphia,  July  3c?,  1755. 

Sir: — Yours,  of  the  19th  ultimo,  came  by  the  post 
yesterday,  and,  as  twelve  days  have  intervened,  it  is  hoped 
that  the  price  of  wagons  is  fixed  to  mutual  satisfaction,  and 
that  you  are  well  provided  with  all  necessaries,  and  not  far 
from  the  general  road;  the  Commissioners  surely  have  in 
themselves  the  power  of  giving  reasonable  prices  as  well  for 
wagons  as  for  provisions,  and  will  take  care  that  none  go 
from  them  for  want  of  paying,  or  agi*eeing  to  pay  them  an 
higher  price  if  .it  cannot  be  done  for  less.  The  work  must 
be  finished  at  all  events,  and  if  one  price  is  objected  to 
another  must  be  fixed  on,  so  that  there  be  no  obstruction  to 
the  work.  It  proves,  indeed,  heavier  than  was  at  first 
imagined,  but  what  then  ?  It  is  not  the  less  necessary  on 
that  account,  and  as  you  have  had  more  trouble  and  are 
likely  to  have  the  weight  of  all  upon  you,  I  am  instructed 
to  tell  you  that  all  reasonable  expenses  will  be  paid,  and 
all  moneys  or  victuals,  or  necessaries  advanced,  will  be 
honorably  allowed  for.  Public  faith  will  not  admit  of  any 
one  doubting  this. 

The  Commissioners  will,  I  am  sure,  from  the  method 


44 

taken  when  I  was  there,  be  always  able  to  certify,  at  the 
foot  of  each  account,  the  quantity  and  quality  of  everything 
used,  and  Joseph  Armstrong  or  John  Smith,  or  whoever 
has  made  the  contract,  will  likewise  certify  it;  and  when 
this  is  done,  who  can  doubt  but  all  will  be  paid  to  entire 
satisfaction.  On  all  diiferences  about  this,  the  Com- 
missioners (to  whom  the  work  is  committed,)  must  be 
judges,  and  take  effectual  care  that  the  best  be  done  that 
the  nature  of  the  case  will  admit  of,  but  always  so  as  that 
no  obstruction  be  put  to  the  finishing  the  road.  The  Grene- 
ral  desires  the  Governor  will  send  an  express  to  him,  to 
settle  the  exact  place  where  your  road  is  to  come  into  the 
general  road.  Now  this  cannot  well  be  done  by  the  Gover- 
nor, at  this  distance,  he  therefore  writes  to  you  on  this  sub- 
ject. I  take  it  that  your  intentions  are  to  carry  the  road  to 
the  Turkey  Fork,  or  Forks  of  Yohiogany,  where  there  are 
three  branches.  I  am  told  that  the  General's  road  passes 
within  three  miles  of  these  branches,  and  if  so,  it  should 
seem  best  to  carry  the  road  over  one  of  these  branches  to 
the  General's  road.  But  as  that  part  of  the  country  is 
entirely  unknown  to  us,  it  is  judged  proper *hat  one  of  the 
officers,  on  receipt  of  the  Governor's  letters,  go  to  the  Gene- 
ral's with  your  account  of  the  place,  where  our  road  may 
be  brought  to  intersect  the  road  taken  by  him.  I  believe 
the  Province  will  not  scruple  to  pay  for  the  provisions 
necessary  to  support  the  escort,  and  think  you  did  well  to 
undertake  it  till  further  order.  I  shall  be  always  ready  to 
do  justice  to  the  zeal  and  industry  with  which  you  have 
prosecuted  this  necessary  work.  I  have  not  heard  a  word 
from  Mr.  Samuel  Smith,  or  Mr.  Joseph  Armstrong,  or  Mr. 
John  Smith,  of  any  obstruction  or  difficulty,  cither  in  point 
of  wagonage  or  provisions,  or  whiskey,  whence  I  am  con- 


45 


firmed  in  my  opinion  that  all  is  well  hitherto.  I  am  the 
friend  and  well-wisher  of  the  Commissioners,  to  whom  this 
is  written,  as  well  as  to  you. 


(an  exact  copy  of  the  printed  papers,  letters,  &c.)* 

^  Pennai/Ivania,  July  Itli,  1755. 

Last  night  arrived  here  from  Halifax,  (via  Boston,)  in 
fourteen  days,  and  proceeded  this  morn  to  General  Brad- 
dock  J  by  him  we  have  the  following  important  intelligence, 
viz  : 

Boston,  June  oO/h. 

On  Tuesday  last,  arrived  here.  Major  Bourne,  who  left 
the  English  camp,  near  Chigncck,  the  18th  instant,  charged 
with  dispatches  from  the  Honorable  Col.  Monckton,  to  his 
Excellency,  Gov.  Shirley,  and  brings  the  agreeable  news, 
that  on  the  first  day  of  this  inst.,  in  the  evening,  his  Ex- 
cellency, Gov.  Shirley's  two  regiments  arrived  at  Chigneck, 
in  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  and  on  the  2d,  landed  and  "joined  his 
Majesty's  regular  forces  there,  near  Fort  Lawrence;  that 
the  English  troops  mai'ched  the  4th,  and  invested  the 
French  Fort  of  Beau  Sejour,  (now  called  Fort  Cumberland,) 
in  the  evening,  and  in  their  way  took  possession  of  Fort 
du  Buott,  where  the  French  had  a  battery  of  four  small 
pieces  of  cannon,  &c.,  block-house,  and  had  posted  four  hun- 
dred men  to  oppose  their  passage,  who  soon  returned,  when 
closely  attacked,  and  left  their  block-house  and  the  sundry 
adjacent  houses  in  flames.  Our  forces  began  bombarding 
the  French  Fort  from  batteries,  advanced  within  five  huu- 

*  It  appears  to  have  been  a  copy  made  for  his  father  by  Ch.  .J. 
Shippen,  from  letters,  broadsides,  &c.,  received  in  Philadelphia. 


46 

dred  yards  of  it,  on  the  loth,  which,  by  a  continued  firing, 
obliged  the  French  to  surrender  before  our  batteries  were 
finished,  on  the  IGth  inst.  The  fort  is  a  regular  built  pen- 
tagon, with  26  pieces  of  cannon,  mounted  chiefly  of  twelve, 
nine  and  six-pounders,  and  one  ten-inch  mortar,  was  gar- 
risoned by  one  hundred  and  fifty  regular  troops,  and  four 
hundred  peasants,  commanded  by  Mons.  du  Chamleon,*  was 
plentifully  furnished  with  provisions,  as  w^  as  all  other 
kind  of  stores;  the  regular  troops  are  to  be  transported  to 
Louisbourg,  and  under  a  prohibition  of  bearing  arms  in 
North  America  for  six  months.  The  fort  the  French  had 
on  the  side  of  the  bay,  where  they  had  requested  the  same 
terms  of  capitulation,  and  Col,  Winslow  marched  with  five 
hundred  men  the  same  morning  that  Major  Bourne  came 
away,  in  order  to  take  possession  of  it,  and  that  the  [troops] 
were  soon  to  sail  for  St.  John's  river,  where  it  is  not  doubted 
they  would  have  the  like  success. 

Extract  of  a  Utter  from  an  officer  in  our  army,  in  Kova-  Scotia,  from 
the  camp  before  Beau  Si  jour. 

June  11th,  1755. 

We  had  a  very  pleasant  passage  of  four  days,  from  Bos- 
ton to  Annapolis,  where  we  all  arrived  safe  on  Monday,  6th 
of  May.  We  remained  there  till  Sunday,  the  1st  of  June, 
when  we  all  sailed  and  got  up  here  the  same  night,  but  did 
not  land  till  morning. 

We  were  not  a  little  pleased  to  learn,  on  our  arrival,  that 
the  French  had  received  no  reinforcement  from  Louisburg, 
as  we  heard  at  Boston,  nor  were  they  apprised  of  our  design 
till  we  got  here;  the  troops  were  quartered,  the  night  we 
arrived  upon  the  settlers  and  inhabitants,  and  Tuesday  even- 

*  A  mistake.     It  was  De  Vergor. — Bancroft,  IV.  197. 


47 

ing,  near  our  fort,  which  day  was  employed  in  preparing 
to  march  to  the  French  side,  on  the  next  day.  Accordingly, 
on  the  4th  of  June,  (being  the  Prince  of  Wales'  birthday,) 
at  break  of  day,  the  troops  were  under  arms,  and  joined  by 
all  the  regulars  of  our  garrison,  both  officers  and  soldiers, 
except  Capt.  Hamilton,  who  was  left  to  command  Fort 
Lawrence,  with  whom  we  left  Capt.  Brintnal,  and  about 
sixty  New  England  troops.  At  7  o'clock,  the  whole  army 
being  two  thousand  four  hundred  and  fifty  men,  marched 
with  four  fold  persons  in  the  front.  As  soon  as  they  ar- 
rived at  the  carrying-place,  where  was  a  log  house  Avith 
some  several  guns  and  a  detachment  of  twenty  troops,  they 
fired  upon  us,  which  was  soon  returned,  and  they  driven 
from  their  post,  which  they  set  fire  to,  as  they  did  to  all 
the  houses  in  their  retreat,  between  them  and  the  French 
Fort;  and  before  night  almost  every  house  at  Beau  S^'jour, 
together  with  their  new  large  mass  houses,  the  priest's 
house,  hospital,  barns,  &c.,  to  the  number  of  about  sixty, 
were  burnt  to  the  ground.  We  had  only  one  man  killed, 
(a  Sergeant  of  our  garrison,)  and  eleven  wounded,  one  of 
which  is  since  dead ;  the  French  had  five  or  six  killed,  and 
we  suppose  more,  how  many  wounded  we  can  't  tell.  Our 
troops  traversed  the  ground  on  their  side,  and  reconnoitered 
the  fort  pretty  near  without  being  fired  on ;  their  people 
were  employed  in  protecting  their  fort  by  a  glacis  and 
covered  way,  as  if  they  did  not  intend  to  surrender  with- 
out a  dispute,  but  turned  their  defence  chiefly  against  an 
assault,  sword  in  hand,  expecting  we  would  storm  the  gar- 
rison, as  they  did  not  apprehend  we  had  any  artillery  ex- 
cept our  *  *  *  *  *  * 
They  have  since  taken  off  the  roofs  of  their  houses,  and 
pulled  down  the  chimneys  to  prevent  the  ill  consequences 


48 

of  our  cannonading,  as  tbey  are  now  satisfied  we  liavc  bat- 
tering cannon  and  tbirteen-inch  shells.  We  have  landed 
our  cannon  and  mortars,  and  the  troops  have  been  employed 
in  clearing  a  road  for  transporting  them  to  the  place  where 
we  designed  to  open  our  battery,  which  we  hope  will  be 
effected  this  night,  (within  three  hundred  yards  of  their 
ramparts.)  We  had  reconnoitering  parties  frequently  out, 
within  half  musket  shot  of  the  fort,  which  they  frequently 
fired  at,  but  have  as  yet  not  hurt  us  a  man.  They  have  in 
the  fort  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  regulars,  and  as  many 
of  the  inhabitants;  the  remainder,  with  the  women  and 
children,  are  gone  off  to  the  Bay  Verde  and  other  distant 
places.  We  have  not  lost  one  of  the  men  we  brought  from 
New  England,  either  by  enemy  or  sickness,  and  have  only 
three  slightly  wounded;  our  men  are  in  high  spirits,  and 
perform  their  fatigues  (which  are  not  a  few,)  with  great 
cheerfulness. 

Fort  Cumberland,  June  18/^,  1755. 

I  have  now  the  pleasure  to  congratulate  you  on  the  sur- 
render of  the  French  Fort,  (which  we  have  named  as  above.) 
I  have  not  time  to  write  you  the  particulars,  the  Fork  and 
Bay  Verde,  and  Gasperau,  have  surrendered  upon  terms. 
Col.  Winslow  is  gone  there  this  morning,  to  take  posses- 
sion. We  have  lost  but  one  of  our  New  England  troops, 
killed  on  opening  the  trenches,  and  about  twelve  wounded, 
who  are  like  to  do  well.  We  began  to  fire  some  small  shells 
the  13th,  some  larger  ones  the  14th,  the  15th  with  a  few 
thirteen-inch,  and  the  16th  they  desired  to  capitulate,  the 
terms  being  agreed  upon.  Col.  Scot,  who  commanded  in 
the  trenches,  marched  in  the  same  evening  in  one  proces- 
sion, and  struck  the  colors  yesterday,  the  memorable  17th 


49 

of  June,  the  same  clay  that  LouisLurg  surrendered  to  us. 
The  English  flag  was  hoisted  and  saluted  by  all  the  guns  in 
the  fort.  We  found  twenty  tannon,  the  largest  twelve- 
pounders,  one  ten-inch  mortar,  plenty  of  ammunition,  and 
provisions  enough  to  have  held  out  a  long  siege.  I  heartily 
wish  our  army  at  the  south-east  may  meet  with  the  same 
success  as  we  have.  I  believe  there  never  was  so  consider- 
able a  conquest  with  so  little  loss.  We  had  not  a  man  hurt 
by  all  their  cannon  and  shells,  and  I  suppose  at  a  moderate 
computation,  they  fired  five  hundred  shot,  and  sixty  or 
eighty  shells. 

Extract  from  Another  Letter. 

We  did  not  expect,  by  their  preparations,  they  would 
have  surrendered  so  soon,  and  it  was  chiefly  occasioned  by 
a  shell  which  broke  through  one  of  their  case-mates,  whereby 
four  officers  were  killed  and  several  wounded.  Among  those 
killed,  was  Mr.  Hay,  an  ensign  of  ours,  in  Warburton's 
regiment,  who  had  been  taken  a  week  before  by  some  skulk- 
ing Indians,  as  he  was  passing  from  our  fort  to  the  camp; 
and  we  learn,  by  other  letters,  that  the  New  England  men 
behaved  to  the  satisfaction  of  everybody ;  that  the  only 
New  England  man  killed  was  Joseph  Pille ;  that  the  French 
have  lost,  in  all,  eight  officers,  and  fifty-one  private  men 
and  three  Indians. 

Ilalifax,  June  1\st. 

Yesterday  arrived  Capt.  Spry,  in  Majesty's  ship,  Ton- 
geers,  who  brought  with  him  here  the  Alcides,  a  French 
ship  of  war,  of  sixty-four  guns,  taken  by  Admiral  Bos- 
cawen's  squadron,  cruising  ofi"  Louisburg.  The  English  fleet 
have  also  taken  the  Lys,  a  French  seventy-four  gun  ship, 

0 


50 

with  eight  companies  of  Frencli  troops  on  board,  several 
oflGicers  and  engineers,  and  the  military  chest.  It  is  hoped, 
by  this  time,  the  Admiral  has  fallen  in  with  the  rest  of  the 
squadron.  Capt.  Spry  has  also  taken  a  brigantine  and 
schooner. 

Besides  the  above,  we  were  informed,  by  letters  and 
passengers,  that  the  French  were  designed  for  Louisburg, 
there  to  refit  and  put  themselves  in  a  condition  to  attack 
Halifax,  and  reduce  all  Nova  Scotia;  that  the  Lys  had 
eleven  hundred  men  on  board,  and  a  General,  who  was  to 
command  all  the  French  troops  on  the  Ohio,  and  elsewhere 
in  these  parts ;  that  the  French  fleet  had  a  large  train  of 
artillery  on  board,  and  thirty  engineers,  the  chief  of  whom 
was  killed  the  first  broadside;  that  the  Lys  lost  seventy 
men  in  the  engagement,  and  the  ship  that  took  her,  thirty ; 
and  that  Capt.  Taggart  was  arrived  at  Halifax,  from  Eng- 
land, with  cannon  and  other  military  stores,  and  that  another 
store  ship  is  daily  expected. 


EDWARD  SniPPEN  TO  COL.  BURD. 

Lancaster,  Decemher  17t7i,  1755. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — I  just  now  received  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Hamilton,  informing  me,  that  he  and  Mr.  Franklin  should 
set  out  to-morrow  on  a  journey  to  the  frontiers  on  the  Dela- 
ware, and  from  there  all  along  to  the  Susquehanna,  and 
perhaps  over  that  river,  in  order  to  get  the  Province  put 
into  the  best  posture  of  defence  they  are  able.  Neddy 
writes  me  that  there  is  to  be  an  Indian  treaty  held  at  Har- 
ris's,* on  the  1st  of  January,  but  does  not  say  who  are  to  go 

*  Now  Harrisburg. 


51 

in  it  from  Philadelphia.  The  Governor  went  to  New  York 
on  the  8th  instant,  and  is  not  yet  returned,  but  I  expect  he 
will  be  at  the  treaty,  and  it  is  very  probable  I  shall  accom- 
pany him.* 

I  hope  you  are  going  on  briskly  with  the  fort,  for  you 
may  expect  the  Governor  will  be  there  before  he  returns. 


CHIEF  JUSTICE  SHIPPEN,  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  February  18^7i,  1756. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — If  my  brother  Jo.  has  an  inclination  to  go 
into  the  army,  there  never  was  a  better  opportunity,  and  per- 
haps never  will  be  so  good  an  one  as  now.  He  might  get 
recommendatory  letters  to  General  Shii-ley,  who  will  admit 
him  as  a  volunteer,  and  upon  the  first  vacancy  give  him  a 
commission.  Young  fellows  of  less  merit  and  much  fewer 
friends,  are  continually  promoting.  What  inclines  me  to 
give  this  hint  is,  the  consideration  of  Joseph  having 
nothing  to  do  in  the  world,  at  a  time  of  life  when  activity 
would  be  of  the  greatest  use. 

If  it  suits  your  circumstances  to  put  him  into  trade,  the 
prospect  of  an  approaching  war  would  be  very  discouraging, 
and  without  some  scheme  of  life  he  will  probably  spend  his 
youth  in  idleness. 

This  thought  occurred  to  me  since  my  return  home,  I 
.thought  it  more  proper  to  mention  it  to  you  than  to  Josey 
himself,  who  will  unquestionably  follow  your  advice  in  this 
as  well  as  everything  else. 

*  A  treaty  was  certainly  very  desirable  on  many  accounts  ;  for  I 
find  in  a  letter  from  Ch.  J.  Shippen  to  his  father,  (Dec.  8th) :  'Our 
'  Commissioners  set  every  day,  and  I  understand  will  offer  rewards 
*  of  £40  or  £50  for  every  scalp.' 


52 


DR.  WILLIAM  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  BROTHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Phila(M_i)hia,  March  Sth,  1756. 

Dear  Brother  : — Upon  tlie  receipt  of  your  last  favor  I 
went  to  Peter  Chevalier's  farm,  where  I  met  with  young 
Hopkins  with  a  few  scions  from  Point-no-Point  of  the  Priest 
apple.  He  says  it  is  a  fine  apple  to  look  at,  and  that  the 
tree  grows  very  handsome,  but  that  the  apple  won't  keep; 
and  for  that  reason  they  have  cut  all  the  trees  down  save 
one.  Will.  Peters  has  promised  to  bring  me  those  he  pro- 
mised you,  but  he  has  not  as  yet  done  it.  I  thank  you  for 
your  kindness  to  my  son  Jo.  He  has  finished  his  Ledger 
to  pretty  good  purpose,  and  has  gone  over  Euclid  again,  and 
I  think  can  raise  a  proportion  secundum  artem. 

I  would  write  you  a  long  letter  about  our  late  politics, 
but  I  take  it  for  granted  you  have  had  it  already. 

His  Excellency  Gov.  Belcher  is  cheerful  and  well.  I 
just  now  received  another  very  complaisant,  religious  letter 
from  him. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  FORT  GRENVILLE. 

Lancaster,  March  24ith,  1756. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — This  gives  you  a  copy  of  a  joyful 
letter,  which  I  received  just  now  from  Mr.  Peters,  and  to 
let  you  know  that  we  are  all  well.  You  have  heard,  no 
doubt,  of  William's  Fort,  lying  on  the  Virginia  side  of 
Potdmoc,  being  taken  by  the  Indians,  and  thirty-three  of 
the  men  killed ;  only  two  men  made  their  escape  out  of 
thirty-five.     It  seems  the  fort  had  little  or  no  ammunition, 


53 

and  as  soon  as  the  enemy  perceived  a  slack  firinjr,  they 
immediately  took  advantage  of  it.  I  hope  our  forts  are 
better  provided. 

If  the  Six  Nations  should  stop  the  Delawares  and  Shawa- 
noes  from  giving  us  any  more  uneasiness,  you  are  then  to 
apprehend  your  danger  from  the  French  and  their  own 
Indians,  who  have  had  such  a  bad  example  sef  them,  and 
seen  so  much  success  attend  our  perfidious  Delawares,  in 
getting  about  two  hundred  scalps.  I  suppose  that  you  have 
heard  that  Mr.  Croghan  threw  up  his  commission.  He  is 
expected  here  every  day.  I  shall  endeavor  to  persuade  him 
to  something,  before  he  goes  to  General  Shirley. 

(copy.) 

'  Dear  Sir  : — Scarroyady  and  Montour  are  returned,  with 
'  an  agreeable  account  of  the  treaty,  and  say,  positively,  that 
'  a  party  of  warriors  of  every  nation  were  to  set  out  before 
'  they  left  Colonel  Johnston,  for  Susquehanna,  to  call  off  the 
'  Delawares  and  Shawnese,  or,  in  case  of  refusal,  to  cut  them 
'  oif.  Pray  inform  the  people  at  Harris's,  and  in  every  part 
'  of  the  frontiers,  with  this  account  of  the  return  of  our  two 
'  friends,  and  the  hearty  disposition  of  the  Six  Nations.' 


REV.  MR.  PETERS  (SECRETARY)  TO  EDWARD  SHIPPEN,  OF 
LANCASTER. 

Friday,  April  lG(h,  1756. 

Sir  : — I  thank  you  for  your  kind  letters,  and  hope  your 
son  will  return  with  laurels  and  scalps.  I  very  heartily 
wish  him  all  kinds  of  prosperity. 

Please  to  inform  Mr.  Chew  and  the  other  gentlemen. 


54 


that  the  Assembly  is  adjourned  to  the  24th  May,  so  that  I 
shall  have  some  respite. 

I  am,  &c. 


COL.  SHIPPEN  TO  CAPT.  THOMAS  m'kEE. 

Fort  at  Ilunter's  Mill,  April  IQth,  1756. 

Sir  : — Be  pleased  to  enlist  for  me  some  young,  active 
men,  of  no  less  a  size  than  five  feet  six  inches  high,  agree- 
able to  the  terms  in  the  advertisement  I  herewith  give  you. 
As  fast  as  you  enlist  them,  I  beg  you  will  send  them  to  Mr. 
John  Harris,  who  will  entertain  them,  till  I  send  him 
further  directions. 

After  they  have  taken  the  oath  of  fidelity  and  signed  it, 
let  the  Justice  of  Peace  sign  a  certificate  of  it,  setting  down 
the  day  of  the  month.  I  leave  with  you  five  dollars,  to  give 
to  the  men,  each  one  dollar  for  their  advance  money.  Let 
the  articles  of  war  be  read  to  each  man,  before  he  enlists. 
Your  compliance  will  much  oblige,  dear  sir,  &e. 

P.  S. — They  must  be  enlisted  for  not  less  than  twelve 
months. 


REVEREND  JOHN  BLAIR  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  CARLISLE. 

Shippensburg,  April  Vjth,  1756. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  am  sorry  we  can 't  have  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  you  here  at  this  time, — as  to  news,  I  scarcely  ever 
expect  to  hear  any  that  are  good,  respecting  our  public 
aflFairs,  until  our  land  confesses  the  hand  of  God  in  his 
judgments  that  are  upon  us,  and  our  governments  alter  their 
maxims. 


55 


You  have  sustained  your  share  of  loss  in  the  late  melan- 
choly action.  That  affair  has  given  us  the  greatest  damp 
we  have  yet  met  with,  and  the  loss  of  our  men  has  weakened 
this  neighborhood.  I  have  been  trying,  since,  to  prevail  on 
our  people  to  form  into  larger  bodies,  but  without  success. 
I  think  this  valley  will  soon  be  waste,  and  indeed  all  about 
Rockey-firing  is  almost  so  already.  I  can  say  little  or 
nothing  about  your  domestic  affairs,  except  that  the  cattle 
are  brought  this  far,  and  there  is  yet  a  good  deal  of  hay. 


COL.    CLAPHAM   TO  CAPT.  JOS.  SHIPPEN,  AT  LANCASTER,  OR 
ELSEWHERE,  BY  SERGT.  BRADDOCK. 

PUladelpliia,  April  \%tTi,  1756. 

Sir  : — Yours  I  received,  and  hope  your  recruiting  is 
attended  with  success.  I  have  herewith  sent  a  detachment 
from  the  regiment,  consisting  of  thirty-one  men,  under  the 
command  of  Serg't  Braddock,  to  be  disposed  of  in  any  man- 
ner you  shall  think  most  conducive  to  the  good-  of  the  ser- 
vice. I  have  seventy  more  in  town,  almost  ready  to  march, 
which  I  intend  to  dispatch  with  all  possible  expedition  to 
the  place  of  rendezvous ;  as  some  provision  for  their  coming 
may  be  necessary,  I  thought  proper  to  give  you  previous 
notice  of  it,  and  assure  myself  you  will  omit  nothing  in 
your  power  necessary  for  that  purpose.  I  have  sent  forty- 
six  supernumerary  bullet-moulders  by  this  party,  which 
you  will  distribute  as  you  think  proper,  and  am,  sir, 
Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  CLAPHAM. 


56 


EDWARD  SIIIPPEX,  OP  LANCASTER,  TO  COL.  JOSEPH 
SHTPPEN,  AT  SHAMOKIN. 

Lancaster,  August  5th,  1756. 

Dear  Son  : — Last  Saturday  night  I  received  your  affec- 
tionate favor  of  the  •25th  and  2f^th  ult.,  in  one  sheet,  very 
agreeable,  except  what  you  say  concerning  the  unkind  treat- 
ment which  your  brother-in-h^w  has  had.  But  we  will  sing 
an  opera  song,  and  so  forget  it.  I  am  glad  to  hear  Col. 
Clapham  deserved  no  blame,  respecting  bis  march  and 
management  of  his  regiment.  I  am  very  well  pleased  to 
see  you  go  on  so  briskly  with  your  barracks  and  stockadoes, 
and  that  you  are  likely  to  be  quite  secured  from  the  attacks 
of  your  enemies. 

If  you  find,  on  examination,  that  the  hill  on  your  opposite 
side,  has  an  easy  ascent  for  an  enemy,  no  doubt  the  Colonel 
will  represent  it  in  a  proper  light  to  the  Governor,  that  he 
may  order  a  small  fort  to  be  immediately  erected  there. 
Your  present  situation  must  be  very  pleasant,  but  remember 
now  is  coming  fast  on  fevers  and  agues,  and  intermitteut 
fevers,  and  pleurisies.  I  have  been  credibly  informed,  that 
in  August  and  September,  it  is  always  so  very  sickly  at 
Shamokin,  that  the  Indians  endeavored  as  much  as  possible 
to  be  absent  in  these  months.  My  advice  to  you  and  Mr. 
Burd  is,  immediately  to  provide  yourselves  each  with  a 
dozen  doses  of  the  bark,  taking  one  every  morning,  fasting; 
and  after  you  have  done  this,  you  should  rest  a  week,  and 
then  take  six  doses  apiece  of  ^^thiops'  minerals,*  every 
morning,  and  these  cordials,  under  God,  will  preserve  you 
in  health,  that  you  may  be  able  to  assist  others,  who  will 

*  Now  better  known  as  'Blue  Pill.' 


57 

not  be  advised  until  tliey  get  sick,  and  indeed,  were  I  the 
comuiaudiug    officer,   I   would    send    to   Philadelphia    for 
Jesuit's  bark,  enough  for  the  whole  regiment,  for  a  twelfth 
part  of  what  would  cure  them  when  sick,  would  be  enough 
to  prevent  disease.     Pray,  give  the  Colonel  a  hint  of  this. 
I  told  you  his  honor,  the  Governor,  was  gone  to  Bethlehem, 
to  hold  a  treaty  with  the  Delawarcs,  &c.,  but  I  did  not  know, 
at  that  time,  that  Israel  Pemberton  and  fifty  more  of  the 
Quakers,  were  gone  to  attend  the  treaty,  and  to  inform  the 
Indians  that  their  people  throughout  the  continent,  were 
using  their  utmost  endeavors  to  raise  £15,000,  to  be  put 
out  to  interest  for  them  forever.     The  last  papers  are  not 
come  to  hand,  nor  indeed  have  I  received  any  from  Frank- 
lin these  two  weeks;  I  imagine  somebody  takes  them  up  at 
our  Post  Office.     I  am  very  much  of  your  opinion  concern- 
ing the  Delawares  and  Shawnese,  taking  up  the  hatchet  at 
Col.  Johnson's,  against  the  Fi'ench,  except  a  few  scattering 
ones,  who  went  from  the  Susquehanna   to  the  treaty  at 
Onondagoj    but,   I   hope   that    Col.   Clapham   has  desired 
Ogaghiadauha  to  come  back,  and  bring  him  an  exact  ac- 
count of  that  treaty.     I  wrote  a  congratulatory  letter  this 
morning,  to  your  cousin   Allen,  on   the  recovery  of  little 
Peggy   and  Billy  from   their  innoculation,  and  took  that 
opportunity  to  say  a  good  deal  to  him,  of  the  great  im- 
portance of  keeping  up  our  forts  at  the  frontiers,  and  more 
particularly  that  at  Shamokin;   not  that  I  think  it  just 
upon  wealthy  men,   (who   have  raised   their  fortunes  by 
trade,  to  the  great  encouragement  of  all  the  tradesmen, 
such    as   ship-carpenters,    smiths,    sailmakers,   and    many 
others,)  to  issue  an  inundation  of  paper  money.    But,  I  pro- 
pose that  the  Assembly  shall  borrow  thirty  or  forty  thou- 
sand pounds,  and  pay  six  per  cent,  interest  for  it,  till  we 


58 

know  my  Lord  Loudon's  determination  about  these  forts, 
though  I  think  he  will  have  matters  stated  to  him  in  such 
a  light,  as  he  will  put  you  all  on  the  establishment,  and 
keep  all  there,  and  that  he  will  not  look  upon  the  other 
forts  as  vain  things.  He  is  gone  to  Albany,  and  it  is  not 
known  when  he  will  be  in  Philadelphia.  He  came  in  the 
Nightingale,  and  took  a  prize,  bound  from  Martinico  to  old 
France,  worth  £20,000,  and  sent  her  into  New  York.  I 
am  very  glad  your  detachment  of  a  hundred  men  were  pre- 
vented from  proceeding  as  far  as  was  intended,  because  they 
might  possibly  have  brought  in  some  scalps,  which  would 
have  been  difficult  to  make  up  with  the  Delawares  and 
Shawnese,  should  they  now  have  entered  into  any  agree- 
ment with  us  about  a  peace;  though,  as  I  said  before,  I  see 
no  likelihood  of  it. 

Mr.  Burd  mentions  your  and  his  intention  to  apply  for  a 
furlough,  to  come  to  see  us  a  little,  but,  although  you  will 
always  be  very  welcome  guests,  yet  as  everything  stands 
on  a  very  ticklish  foundation,  I  can't  now  advise  you  to 
such  a  step.  You  tell  me  the  Colonel'*'  frequently  says  he 
will  soon  resign  and  go  to  Philadelphia,  if  he  intends  to  do 
it,  I  suppose  he  is  not  to  be  persuaded  against  it,  but  I 
imagine  he  will  stay  with  you  till  Capt.  Lloyd  returns ;  nay, 
he  is  obliged  in  honor  to  wait  for  an  answer  to  the  letters, 
he  and  all  officers  have  sent  to  his  honor,  the  Governor; 
for,  if  your  requests  are  all  granted,  you  are  bound,  in  jus- 
tice to  your  King  and  country,  to  remain  there  until  the 
time  of  your  enlistment  is  over;  and  if  your  demands  are 
not  all  complied  with,  you  are  not  obliged  to  resign,  while 
you  have  a  good  store  of  provisions,  and  ammunition  found 
you  for  this  month,  and  at  the  latter  end  of  it,  a  full  stock 

*  Clapham. 


59 

laid  in  to  last  till  April,  (I  speak  of  yourself  and  INIr.  T^urd,) 
unless  the  men  should  desert  you  for  want  of  their  pay, 
whiclTl  hope  will  not  be  the  case.  As  to  your  own  pay,  you 
will  be  sure  of  it  sometime  or  other,  and  so  will  Mr.  Burd, 
of  his,  either  as  major  or  captain,  if  not  for  both.  However, 
be  that  as  it  may  respecting  his  pay,  I  advise  you  both  to 
stand  your  ground,  while  ever  the  men  will  stand  by  you, 
provided  you  have  necessaries  as  just  mentioned.  You  re- 
ceived your  commission  from  the  Governor,  and  if  Mr. 
Burd  is  not  paid  for  two  services  it  will  not  be  his  fault. 
He  intended  it  should  be  so,  and  would  fulfil  his  intentions; 
poor  gentleman,  had  he  but  the  command  of  the  purse 
strings,  for  he  is  certainly  a  fast  friend  to  you  both,  and  for 
that  you  are  greatly  obliged  to  him,  as  it  has  never  been  in 
your  power  to  merit  anything  more  at  his  hands,  than  your 
cheerful  acceptance  of  the  commissions  for  the  present  ser- 
vice, at  too  low  a  pay.  Col.  Clapham  is  a  stranger  to  him, 
and  so  is  Capt.  Lloyd.  I  say  they  are  strangers  to  him, 
and  to  all  your  friends  at  Philadelphia,  and  so  its  no  matter 
how  they  act.  But  as  to  yourself  and  Mr.  Burd,  their  eyes 
and  whole  dependence  will  be  on  you  both,  and  on  nobody 
else. 

We  are  apprehensive  that  Port  Mahon  is  taken  by  the 
French,  if  so,  it  is  a  bad  beginning  for  the  English.  Our 
troops  have  marched  for  Crown  Point.  It  seems  Gen. 
Winslow,  who  commands  the  seven  thousand  New  England- 
men,  let  Major  General  Abercrombie  know  that  he  would  be 
under  no  command,  nor  march  with  him  and  the  P'nglish 
troops,  but  was  resolved  to  try  that  fortress  with  his  own 
strength,  to  which  the  General  consented  rather  than  to 
suffer  such  a  number  of  fine  fellows  to  return  home  again. 
Then  the  Major  General  said,  he  had  a  request  to  make  to 


60 

Gen.  Winslow,  and  that  was,  that  he  might  be  suffered  to 
follow  with  his  regulars,  and  artillery,  that  in  case  of  a 
repulse,  he  might  in  his  retreat  have  some  protection.  This 
was  also  agreed  to,  and  Abercrombie  is  to  keep  exactly  two 
miles  behind  Winslow's  army. 

P.  S. — The  best  physicians  in  the  world,  agree  that  a 
man  at  forty  should  chew  a  little  piece  of  Jesuit's  bark, 
and  swallow  the  spittle,  two  months,  fall  and  spring,  every 
morning,  and  should  take  a  few  doses  every  year  of  jEthiop's 
mineral.  This  last  is  a  great  sweetener  of  the  blood,  and 
frequently  given  to  children  for  that  purpose.  Doctor 
Chew  is  the  most  lavish  in  the  praise  of  these  medicines. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  SIIIPPEN. 

Lancaster,  August  2t\st,  175G. 

Dear  Son  : — I  wrote  you  very  fully  by  Capt.  Lloyd,  and 
whether  he  forwarded  my  letters  and  the  papers  by  the  ex- 
press that  was  killed,  I  am  at  a  great  loss  to  know.  How- 
ever, I  send  you  a  copy  of  cousin  Allen's  letters  to  me,  and 
told  you  what  Mr.  Hamilton  said,  too,  concerning  the 
menacing  letter  sent  by  the  officers  to  his  Honor.  Neddy 
writes  me  that  Mr.  Morris  also  was  of  opinion  that  you 
were  all  punishable,  but  added, — '  that  although  he  could 

*  not  account  for  your  and  Mr.  Burd  joining  in  such  a 
'  mutinous  manner  with  the  Colonel,  yet  he  intended  to  do 

*  you  both  all  the  service  in  his  power.'  Mr.  Hamilton 
makes  great  allowance  for  your  youth,  but  cannot  excuse 
Mr.  Burd.  We  were  lately  alarmed  here,  with  a  story  as 
if  our  Fort  Oswego,  on  Lake  Ontario,  was  taken  by  the 
French   and  Indians,  an  army  said  to  consist  of  six  thou- 


61 

sand.  Neither  have  we  much  reason  to  think  it  otherwise. 
Here  is  what  we  have  heard  since.  An  oflficer  cauio  here 
two  days  ago,  from  New  York,  and  says  Oswego  is  besieged 
only,  and  that  my  Lord  Loudon  has  detached  a  thousand 
men  to  its  assistance.  And  what  Dr.  Shippen  says  to  mc 
of  the  28th  inst., — '  my  Lord  Loudon  writes  that  he  hears 
'  at  Albany,  from  Oswego,  that  it  is  taken  by  the  French, 
'  and  apprehends  it  is  true,  but  I  imagine  it  must  only  be 
'  one  or  two  of  our  out  forts,  and  not  Oswego,  which  I  think 
*  cannot  be  given  up  under  four  or  five  weeks  to  any  force 
'  at  all.' 

My  Lord  Loudon  has  sent  up  here  for  Capt.  Herbert,  (a 
genteel  Switzer,)  to  bring  away  his  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men  as  soon  as  possible. 

Our  Assembly  is  in  town.  Stand  your  ground,  and  sign 
no  more  papers  to  the  Governor,  of  such  a  tenor.  Capt. 
Lloyd  showed  me  all  which  you  had  signed,  and  I  objected 
to  the  menacing  part  of  it,  but  he  said  you  were  all  resolved 
to  show  spirit. 

I  would  have  you  and  Mr.  Burd  to  be  very  cautious  of 
venturing  to  come  to  see  us,  lest  you  should  both  be  way- 
laid. How  you  will  get  this  letter  I  cannot  tell  or  imagine, 
the  Indians  are  said  to  be  so  thick  about. 


SIR  JOHN  ST.  CLAIR  TO  COL,  BURD. 

Behil,  Septemler  29(7i,  11  at  night,  [1756.] 

Dear  Sir  : — I  received  yours  at  nine  this  evening,  and 
have  lost  no  time  in  answering  it.  I  am  sorry  that  the 
Post  Master  here  is  above  his  business. 

I  transfer  you  Sir  Jeffry  Amherst's  letter  to  me,  as  much 
as  relates  to  provisions,  viz  : — 


62 

'I  have  wrote  particularly  to  Col.  Bouquet,  regarding 
'  the  provisions  that  are  to  be  allowed  to  the  provincial 
'  troops,  inhabitants,  &c.,  and  whatever  he  may  approve  of, 
'  will  be  allowed  of  in  the  provision  account,  and  passed  ac- 
'  cordingly,  in  certificates  to  be  granted  on  the  treasury. 
'  But  I  do  not  suppose  the  account  you  sent  to  me  was  pre- 
'  sented  to  you,  to  be  paid  for  in  cash  here.' 

These  were  the  accounts  of  Fort  Cumberland,  of  the  same 
value  as  part  of  yours,  so  that  you  see  I  can  do  nothing  iu 
them.  Had  it  been  in  my  power,  no  man  should  be  readier 
to  serve  you. 

If  Doctor  Graeme  is  in  Philadelphia,  pray  send  him  out 
to  Betsey,  (I  mean  lady  St.  Clair.)  I  have  just  dispatched 
a  messenger  to  Graeme  Park  for  him,  as  my  dear  girl  con- 
tinues very  bad. 

I  am,  with  much  truth. 

Dear  Colonel,  &c. 


CHIEF  JUSTICE  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

PMlaJelpMa,  Septemhcr  Wth,  1756. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — Enclosed  you  have  two  letters  from  Mr. 
Allen  on  the  subject  of  my  last,  which,  after  perusing, 
please  to  seal  up  and  forward  by  some  very  safe  hand.  Mr. 
Cross  has  wrote  to  several  of  the  ministers.  How  the  thing 
will  take  I  cannot  tell.  It  is  proposed  that  Mr.  Stedman 
and  myself  should  be  up  at  Lancaster  on  the  election  day. 
It  is  a  very  disagreeable  task  to  appear  to  solicit  for  one's 
self,  but  if  it  is  necessary,  I  must  submit.  You  '11  please 
to  speak  to  George  Ross,  Dr.  Kuhn,  and  what  others  you 
think   have   interest,  and   let  me   know  how  the   thing  is 


63 

thought  of.  What  two  members  we  must  be  put  in  the 
room  of,  must  be  left  to  the  people ;  but  I  should  think  if 
Jimmy  Wright  inclines  to  stay  in,  it  would  be  wrong  to 
leave  him  out  of  the  ticket.  The  chief  thing  is  to  split  the 
Dutch,  how  that  can  be  managed  I  do  n't  know  till  I  hear 
your  sentiments.  We  are  pushing  for  a  change  in  all  the 
counties,  and  shall  certainly  carry  it  in  some. 

The  militia  and  associations  are  about  making  a  junction 
in  this  town.  What  will  be  the  event  I  cannot  yet  tell,  but 
we  shall  very  probably  carry  two  or  three  good  men  for  this 
county. 

The  conduct  of  the  Assembly,  with  regard  to  this  excise 
bill,  is  universally  condemned:  first,  to  request  the  Gover- 
nor to  show  them  his  instructions,  that  they  might  avoid 
offering  any  bill  that  should  interfere  with  them ;  and  as 
soon  as  the  Governor  had  gratified  them,  to  send  imme- 
diately a  bill  directly  in  the  teeth  of  one  of  the  positive 
instructions,  is  a  behaviour  utterly  indefensible.  If  the 
Governor's  amendments  should  not  be  acceded  to,  and  so  the 
bill  should  drop,  it  will  forever  ruin  the  credit  of  the  present 
members.     I  impatiently  expect  to  hear  from  you. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  (CH.  J.)  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  \^th,  1756. 

Hon.  Sir  : — I  received  your  favors  of  the  15th  and  17th 
inst.  and  am  very  sorry  to  hear  that  the  prejudices  of  the 
people  are  so  strong  against  Mr.  Stedman.  What  to  do  we 
cannot  tell.  Mr.  Hamilton  declares  positively  he  will  never 
sit  in  Assembly  after  filling  the  station  he  has;  and  we  can 
think  of  no  other  proper  man  here  that  is  known  in  the 


04 

county.  The  thing  must  be  left  to  the  people.  For  my 
part  I  am  not  anxious  to  be  in  the  House.  A  seat  there 
would  give  me  much  trouble,  take  up  a  great  deal  of  my 
time,  and  yield  no  advantage  to  my  family,  whose  good  I  am 
bound  first  to  consult.  And  really,  in  these  times,  it  is  no 
easy  matter  to  provide  as  one  would  wish  for  an  increasing 
family.  However,  as  our  friends  thought  it  was  necessary 
I  should  stand  for  Lancaster,  I  gave  my  consent,  and  am 
still  willing  to  stand  if  there  is  any  chance  of  succeeding. 

No  ticket  is  yet  settled  for  this  county,  nor  can  any  be 
until  the  result  of  the  yearly  meeting  at  Burlington  is 
known.  Galloway  and  Baynton  are  talked  of  by  some : 
Jacob  Duche  and  Coleman  by  others.     Nothing  fixed. 


CAPT.  DAVID  JAMESON  TO  WILLIAM  ALLEN,  ESQ.,  AT 
PHILADELPHIA. 

Fort  Augusta,  December  4th,  1756. 

Honored  Sir  : — The  great  concern  I  am  under  for  the 
irregularities  in  our  regiment,  and  the  sincere  desire  I  have 
for  the  provincial  service  to  go  on  well,  have  caused  me  to 
break  through  the  diffidence  under  which  I  have  labored  for 
some  time,  as  to  representing  the  bad  state  of  our  regiment, 
and  complaining  of  the  injuries  which  I  have  received  from 
Col.  Clapham.  The  character  you  bear  of  exerting  yourself 
for  the  public  good  has  induced  me  to  exhibit  them  first  to 
you,  for  your  consideration ;  in  the  hope  that,  if  they  appear 
to  you  likely  to  obstruct  the  service  of  his  Majesty  or  the 
Province,  you  will  deliver  the  enclosed  complaint  to  his 
honor.  Governor  Denny,  and  at  the  same  time  make  mention 
of  those  things  I  write  concerning  the  regiment :  if  you  think 


65 

otherwise,  then  I  beg  you  to  excuse  my  presumption,  for  I 
act  from  a  mistaken  notion  of  my  duty. 

The  men  of  the  regiment  are  not  yet  trained,  and  there- 
fore of  no  more  service  to  the  Province  than  a  number  of 
men,  gathered  together  in  a  hurry,  would  be. 

The  Col.  often  damning  the  service,  pointing  out  the  dis- 
advantages of  serving  in  this  Province,  and  threatening  to 
leave  it  and  go  to  the  Indian  country,  -whereby  many  officers 
and  men  are  prejudiced. 

Officers  frequently  arrested,  and  sometimes  kept  in  con- 
finement longer  than  the  express  words  in  the  act  of  Parlia- 
ment permit.  Capt.  Salter  and  Captain  Miles  (the  latter 
tricked  out  of  his  commission)  were  confined  some  weeks, 
when  there  could  not  be  the  least  pretence  for  it,  there  being 
a  sufficient  number  of  officers  to  hold  a  general  court  martial 
at  the  time  of  their  confinement. 

An  exclusive  license  given  to  one  TaafFe  to  sell  dry  goods, 
and  all  other  persons  prevented,  (Mr.  Hunter,  who  sells 
liquors,  only  excepted,)  by  the  Col.'s  orders,  from  bringing 
any  goods  whatever  to  this  fort  or  fort  Halifax,  whereby 
both  officers  and  men,  that  before  this  prohibition  used  to 
get  their  things  at  reasonable  rates,  are  imposed  upon,  and 
obliged  to  pay  extiavagant  rates. 

Officers  frequently  used  ill  by  the  Col. ;  the  whole  body 
of  them  often  called  by  him  a  pack  of  rascals ;  officers  and 
men  prejudiced  against  the  Commissioners  by  crafty  insinu- 
ations. Some  of  the  former  had  nearly  been  drawn  by  the 
Col.  into  what  (I  think)  was  mutiny ;  for  that  remonstrance, 
which  was  sent  to  the  late  Governor  Morris,  as  it  was  first 
drawn  up  and  assented  to  by  the  Colonel,  instead  of  having 
in  it,  ''beg  liberty,"  had  "insist."     This  was  objected  to  by 


66 

several   persons,  and,  contrary   to  the   Col.'s   desire,  was 
altered. 

Thus  far,  sir,  the  duty  which,  as  I  think,  I  owe  to  my 
king  and  country,  has  made  me  venture.  I  say  venture, 
because  I  know  not  but  what  I  have  done  may  be  looked 
upon  as  ill,  because  Col.  Clapham  is  my  commanding  officer. 
You  may  depend  that  all,  or  at  least  the  most  of  what  I 
assert,  can  be  sufficiently  proved.  Now,  sir,  I  submit  to 
your  wise  judgment,  whether  the  complaint  and  the  things 
mentioned  in  this  letter  ought  to  be  made  known  to  the 
Governor. 

I  am,  honored  sir,  &c. 


CAPT.  THOMAS  LLOYD  TO  COL.  JAMES  BURD. 

Philadelphia,  February,  1757. 

Sir  : — Your  favor  of  16th  inst.  and  that  of  January  9th, 
came  both  to  hand ;  since  the  receipt  of  which  the  Colonel 
has  done  himself  the  pleasure  to  write  to  you  by  Capt. 
Trump.  I  am  directed  by  the  Colonel  to  inform  you,  that 
he  desires  no  person  may  be  admitted  to  lodge  in  his  quar- 
ters except  the  Doctor  and  Ensign  McKee.  Enclosed  is  a 
list  of  the  men  whom  the  Colonel  would  have  to  hold  them- 
selves in  readiness  to  march  down  to  Philadelphia  at  a  min- 
ute's warning  and  be  employed  in  recruiting.  Since  my  last 
we  have  undoubted  assurances  of  the  embarkation  of  twelve 
regiments  for  America,  to  be  made  on  the  10th  of  January 
last.  Four  of  the  officers'  transports  are  yet  missing.  The 
first  batallion  of  Royal  Americans  ordered  to  take  the  field 
the  first  of  March.  Lord  Loudon  hourly  expected  here  to 
preside  at  a  conference  of  all  the  Governors  to  westward  of 


67 

York,  in  order  to  which  Governors  Sharpe*  and  Dinwyddief 
arrived  last  night.  It  is  said  a  fleet  has  sailed  from  Brest 
with  a  force  sufficient  to  storm  Hell.  Whither  they  direct 
their  course  is  unknown,  but  it  is  imagined  that  Jamaica  or 
the  American  continent  will  taste  the  fruits  of  their  labors. 
May  continual  tempests  and  everlasting  rain  whelm  them 
all! 

A  bill  for  60,000  pounds,  including  Proprietary  estate, 
and  since,  another,  excepting  that  estate,  have  been  rejected, 
upon  which  two  of  the  venerable  sages  of  Pennsylvania  are 
going  home  with  their  fingers  in  their  eyes.  Boscawen  con- 
voys the  twelve  regiments  with  seventeen  sail  of  the  line, 
and  we  promise  ourselves  fair  winds  and  prosperous  gales  to 
waft  him  over. 

I  have  exhausted  all  my  subjects  and  have  nothing  more 
to  add,  except  that  I  hope  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  in  a 
few  days,  and  am,  &c. 


COL.  JOHN  ARMSTRONG  TO  MAJOR  JAMES  BURD,  AT  FORT 
AUGUSTA. 

Carlisle,  February  22(7,  1757. 

Dear  Sir: — Your  favor  of  the  17th  instant  for  John  Lee 
is  just  come  to  hand,  and  the  readiness  on  your  part,  in 
regard  to  the  two  companies  from  that  regiment,  is  very 
satisfactory.  I  have  not  yet  received  an  answer  to  the  letter 
referred  to  in  yours,  but  look  for  it  early  next  week.  Soon 
after  the  receipt  of  it,  if  the  orders  are  not  countermanded, 
I  shall  write  you  per  express.  Let  me  inform  you,  in  strict 
confidence,  that  my  designs  arc  not  to  march  to  the  enemy's 

*  Of  Maryland.  f  Of  Virginia. 


68 

country,  but  only  to  waylay  and  endeavor  to  intercept  tlicir 
descent  upon  us.  This  is  all  that  can  possibly  be  done 
before  grass  grows  and  proper  numbers  unite,  except  it  were 
agreed  to  fortify  at  Reastown,  of  which  I  yet  know  nothing. 

I  think  the  route  for  your  men,  in  case  we  rendezvous  at 
Littletown,  will  be  as  straight  a  course  as  the  woods  will 
permit  from  Augusta  to  Aughwick — Juniatta  to  be  crossed 
by  a  raft.  As  to  the  horses  you  mention,  they  are  a  prin- 
cipal part  of  the  instructions  I  now  wait  for,  which,  if  not 
granted,  I  don't  see  how  we  can  leave  the  forts  or  inhabited 
parts,  but  if  your  people  can  carry  four  days'  provisions,  it 
will  fetch  them  to  Littletown.  Next  week,  by  a  general 
court  martial,  we  are  to  try  the  conduct  of  English  Dick. 
The  Commissioners  and  we  are  at  great  odds.  It  seems  to 
me  as  if  the  devil  had  got  possession  of  Bennie  Franklin. 
We  hear  the  money  bill  is  not  yet  passed — that  Franklin 
and  Morris  are  to  go  to  England. 

This  week  his  Lordship,  with  sundry  of  the  neighboring 
Governors,  are  expected  in  Philadelphia.  May  God  preside 
in  that  Congress  for  his  glory  and  the  British  interest.  Not 
less  than  8000  more  troops  are  daily  expected  in  Halifax. 
A  report  is  going  that  a  York  privateer  on  their  own  coast 
has  lately  discovered  fourteen  sail  of  French  ships,  upon 
which  the  privateer  returned  to  York,  and  an  express  was 
immediately  dispatched  to  his  Lordship  at  Boston ;  but  this 
story  we  hope  will  not  prove  true. 

Mr.  Thompson  has  obtained  furlough  to  Philadelphia 
with  expectation  of  obtaining  a  pair  of  colors,  and  it  is  not 
improbable  that  others,  from  the  conduct  of  the  Commis- 
sioners, will  resign  the  service.  His  Boyal  Highness,  the 
Duke,  has  been  pleased  to  express  great  satisfaction  on  the 
news  of  the  destruction  of  the  Kittanniug  and  death  of  Capt. 


69 

Jacobs.  The  Proprietaries  send  a  general  letter  of  thanks, 
and  I  believe  some  presents.  Capt.  Callender  has  lain  by 
the  chief  part  of  this  winter  with  the  rheumatism.  You'll 
doubtless  have  the  news-folio  by  the  return  of  your  officers 
now  in  town. 

My  wife  joins  in  our  good  wishes  to  you,  and  I  am,  with 
friendly  compliments  to  Captain  Shippen,  Doctor  Morgan, 
&c.,  sir,  your  real  well-wisher  and  very  humble  serv't. 

P.  S. — I  am  sorry  for  your  indisposition,  and  think  the 
reasons  of  it  are  justly  accounted  for.  If  we  should  have  a 
set  of  damp  heavy  weather  I  fear  it  may  impede  the  service 
in  sundry  places.  I  doubt  a  scurvy  next  summer  from  the 
constant  use  of  salt  meat. 


CAPT.  DANIEL  CLARK  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  FORT  AUGUSTA. 

Harris's,  February  lid,  1757. 

Dear  Major  : — This  minute  I  arrived  here  from  Phila- 
delphia. Matters  stand  in  so  great  a  confusion  there  that  I 
cannot  give  yoii  any  news  of  moment. 

The  Governor  has  rejected  the  money  bill,  the  tenor  of 
which  was  that  by  the  tax  of  one  shilling  the  pound  one 
hundred  thousand  pounds  was  to  be  of  all  estates,  real  and 
personal,  in  the  province,  the  proprietary  only  excepted, 
and  to  be  sunk  in  four  years.  Lord  Loudon  was  expected 
in  Philadelphia  last  Saturday;  the  Governors  of  Virginia 
and  Maryland  were  arrived  there  before  I  left  it.  The 
Royal  Americans  I  heard  were  commanded  to  prepare  for  a 
march  to  Halifax,  which  is  to  be  the  place  of  general  ren- 
dezvous, and  the  Halifax  brigade  ordered  to  Philadelphia, 
by  which  some  imagine  there  will  be  an  expedition  carried 


70 

on  from  these  parts.  I  am  afraid  we  Pennsylvanians  shall 
have  no  share  in  it ;  the  Assembly  will  never  give  any  sum 
or  sums  for  its  use  until  Mr.  Franklin  returns  from  England, 
who  is  immediately  setting  off.  Colonel  Clapham  had  re- 
ceived his  heating  orders.  He  went  to  the  Commissioners 
for  the  money;  told  them  the  consequence  of  delays  at  this 
time,  when  this  regiment  was  so  near  being  free,  &c.  They 
told  him  they  could  not  be  free  in  a  better  time.  He  sent 
his  boys  for  his  horses.  For  my  part,  I  don't  think  that 
Fort  Augusta  will  ever  be  ornamented  with  his  presence. 
Captain  Jameson's  grievances  will  be  inquired  into  by  Colo- 
nel Armstrong's  officers.  It  was  reported  in  town  that  Cap- 
tain Jackson  was  a  lunatic.  This  policy  was  a  heavy  slap 
on  the  face  of  the  author.  It  gave  the  gentlemen  a  worse 
opinion  of  him,*  (if  it  were  possible  for  them  to  conceive  a 
worse,)  as  they  were  all  convinced  it  was  only  made  use  of 
as  a  plea  of  defence. 

I  am  extremely  ill  with  the  pain  in  my  breast.  I  am 
under  a  necessity  of  taking  some  medicines  to  prevent  its 
growth.  Dr.  Shirley  advised  me  strongly  to  it  lest  it  turn 
to  consumption ;  so  I  must  stay  in  Carlisle  until  I  get  better. 
I  have  no  leave  from  my  commanding  officer  for  this.  I  beg 
you  will  excuse  me  if  the  Colonel  should  come  before  I  am 
able  to  return  to  the  regiment.  The  Assembly  prepared 
another  bill,  but  of  the  same  tenor  with  the  former,  desiring 
the  Governor  may  either  pass  the  bill  or  discharge  the 
troops.  My  compliments  to  Captain  Shippcn.  I  am  your 
most  obedient,  &c. 

P.  S. — I  have  sent  you  the  last  news  and  three  magazines. 

*  Col.  Clapham. 


71  * 

EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  MAJOR  JAMES  BURD. 

Lancaster,  March  2-^th,  1757. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — Captain  Sbippen  wrote  me  lately  that 
you  had  encouraged  your  good  gentlemen  soldiers  to  stay 
with  you  till  the  1st  of  April,  to  defend  your  fine  Fort  Au- 
gusta, which  they  had  labored  so  hard  to  build  for  one  of 
the  most  glorious  and  most  gracious  kings  in  the  whole 
world  :  they  know  whom  I  mean,  George  the  Second,  of 
Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the 
Faith,  &c.,  who,  I  hope,  will  one  day  reward  them  very  well 
for  their  fidelity  and  loyalty ;  and  if  he  should  not  live  to 
do  it  himself,  as  he  is  now  grown  very  ancient,  yet  there  is 
no  doubt  but  the  noble  Duke  of  Cumberland,  who  always 
inquires  after  his  trusty  and  well  beloved  gentlemen  soldiers, 
as  well  in  America  as  in  other  places,  will  requite  them  for 
their  extraordinary  services^  as  he  did  all  the  gentlemen 
soldiers  who  fought  so  courageously  and  beat  the  rebels, 
taking  great  numbers  of  them  prisoners,  at  the  time  of  the 
last  rebellion  in  Scotland.  I  am  very  sensible  your  corps 
has  been  kept  too  long  out  of  their  pay,  but  I  have  great 
reason  to  believe  they  will  not  only  very  soon  be  paid  all 
their  arrears,  but  paid  most  punctually  for  the  future,  for 
since  my  Lord  Loudon  has  arrived  at  Philadelphia,  I  am 
informed  that  the  Governor  and  Assembly  have  agreed  to 
raise  a  hundred  thousand  pounds  and  to  pass  a  militia  act, 
the  sweets  of  which  I  hope  you  will  feel,  and  expect  before 
the  tenth  day  of  April,  Capt.  Young  will  carry  every  farthing 
that  is  due  to  them.  Wherefore  I  shall  only  beg  my  com- 
pliments to  all  the  worthy  officers  and  gentlemen  soldiers  at 
Fort  Augusta,  and  so  conclude. 

Your  affectionate  father,  &c. 


72 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  MAJOR  JAMES  BURD,  AT  FORT 
AUGUSTA. 

Lancaster,  March  2Q(J},  1757, 

Saturday,  5  o'clock  P.  M. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — Though  I  had  not  heard  that  Captain 
Young  was  going  up  to  Shamokin  yet,  I  ventured  to  tell 
you  I  made  no  doubt  of  his  being  sent  up  with  the  men's 
pay  as  well  as  the  officers',  and  the  £100,000  money  bill 
was  also  passed  according  to  my  expectation.  I  congratu- 
late you  on  the  good  news.  Col.  Clapham  has  resigned,  (so 
Doctor  Shippen  says,)  and  if  he  is  pleased  you  have  no  cause 
to  be  displeased,  I  am  sure.  I  never  doubted  his  skill  in 
fighting  Indians,  nor  his  natural  disposition  to  quarrel  with 
and  abuse  all  mankind.  It  was  always  my  opinion,  that  if 
a  man  had  the  natural  abilities  and  education  of  an  Indian 
or  a  Negro  Prince,  and  if  he  were  never  so  famous  a  Gene- 
ral among  them,  yet  until  he  changed  his  manner  and 
savage  nature  and  became  like  one  of  us,  and  had  had  the 
advantage  of  keeping  gentlemen's  company ;  I  say,  unless 
those  changes  had  been  wrought  in  him,  he  was  as  unfit  to 
command  a  batallion  belonging  to  the  king  of  England  as 
ever  Shengar  or  Jacobs  were. 


RICHARD  PETERS  (SECRETARY)  TO  JOSEPH  SHIPPEN,  (COL.) 

April,  1757. 

The  Governor  inclines  to  send   six  twelve,  or  eighteen- 
pounders  to  Fort  Augusta,  and  with  them,  attairil. 

The  General  and  Sir  John  St.  Clair  say,  they  will  be  of 


73 

no  use.     Pray  contrive  some  way  of  satisfying  these  great 
men  of  their  mistakes. 

Yours,  &c. 
I  dine  at  Willing's. 


GEORGE  CROGHAN  (cOL.)  TO  MAJOR  JAS.  BURD,  AT  FORT 
AUGUSTA. 

Harris's  Ferry,  Api'il  Sd,  1757. 

Dear  Sir  : — After  a  long  silence  I  beg  leave  to  acknow- 
ledge the  receipt  of  your  several  favors.  To-morrow  I  set 
off  for  Lancaster  with  the  Indians ;  but  have  not  been  able 
to  fix  the  time  the  treaty  will  hold,  as  there  is  a  great  num- 
ber of  Indians  yet  to  come  in.  Some,  I  suppose,  will  come 
in  by  the  way  of  the  fort,  and  others  by  Easton. 

I  left  Philadelphia  the  29th  of  March.  Lord  Loudon  had 
been  there  ten  days,  and  was  to  set  off  for  York  the  next 
day.  He  had  a  Congress  with  the  several  Governors,  which 
ended  before  I  left  town,  but  he  is  so  capable  of  keeping 
secrets  that  nothing  has  yet  transpired.  A  packet  arrived 
in  York  the  24th  of  March  with  express  to  his  Lordship,  by 
which  it  is  considered  that  Mr.  Byng  was  condemned  to  be 
shot  for  cowardice,  but  recommended  to  the  mercy  of  his 
Majesty  by  the  Council. 

'Tis  said  there  is  a  fleet  of  twenty  odd  sail  of  men-of-war, 
with  seventy  transports,  sailed  from  England  with  ten  regi- 
ments on  board  for  North  America,  two  of  which  are 
Highland  regiments :  young  Lord  Lovatt  has  one  of  them. 
'Tis  generally  thought  this  great  embarkation  is  designed 
for  Cape  Breton  or  Quebec,  or  perhaps  both.  There  is  little 
talk  of  an  expedition  against  Ohio,  but  I  believe  there  will 

D 


74 

be  a  number  of  Provincial  troops  rendezvoused  at  South 
Carolina,  though  this  is  kept  a  secret.  The  New  England 
government  has  engaged  fifty  companies  of  dragoons  to  join 
his  Lordship  and  the  King's  troops;  no  field  oflScers,  and  'tis 
said  there  will  be  no  field  ofHcers  in  the  Provincial  troops  in 
those  Provinces.     This  is  perhaps  only  talk. 

I  need  not  inform  you  that  Colonel  Clapham  has  resigned. 
I  suppose  Captain  Young  has  informed  you  of  that ;  and  I 
believe  he  is  in  great  disgrace  with  his  Lordship,  as  well  as 
with  most  gentlemen  in  Philadelphia. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  BURD. 

Lancaster,  April  5ih,  1757. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — I  am  glad  you  have  got  so  well  rid  of 
Clapham  as  your  Colonel,  and  if  the  poor  fellow  should  desire 
a  license  to  set  up  his  trade  at  your  camp,  I  hope  you  will 
grant  him  the  favor;  for  though  he  did  not  understand  the 
business  of  a  commandant,  yet  he  can  bring  credentials  from 
the  Carbuncle,  alias  Rednosed  Club,  in  Boston,  of  his  skill 
in  hat  making ;  and  as  he  was  well  recommended  by  my 
countrymen  as  a  good  icood-ranger,  he  can  never  be  at  a  loss 
for  materials  to  make  up.  But  if  there  are  no  sheep  in  the 
wilderness  to  fleece  for  wool,  perhaps  there  are  wolves  and 
buffaloes  to  be  found  to  answer  his  purpose ;  for  a  man,  who 
had  not  cunning  enough  to  keep  a  ball  at  his  foot  which 
turned  him  £365  per  annum,  could  not  be  expected  to  out- 
wit foxes,  beavers,  and  such  other  sagacious  creatures.* 

The  behaviour  of  Capt.  Shippen  and  yourself  to  the  officer 

*  As  proposed,  this  is  quite  a  specimen  of  Mohammedan  ups-and- 
downs.     See  Edinburgh  Review,  Jan.  1854,  p.  290. 


who  refused  to  mount  guard  iu  bis  turn,  reflects  honor  on 
you  both ;  and,  as  he  is  a  gentleman  of  good  parts  and  of 
pretty  school  education,  he  will  improve  that  act  of  indul- 
gence to  his  own  advantage.  First  of  all,  the  thought  will 
fill  him  with  shame,  as  you  had  no  regard  to  lex  taliouis, 
and  then,  if  he  has  any  ingenuousness,  he  will  naturally 
make  the  proper  concessions,  and  behave,  as  Captain  Staats 
Morris  says,  'excessively  well  for  the  future.'  I  don't 
wonder  in  the  least  that  he  is  afflicted  with  the  gripes.  How 
could  he,  as  he  is  a  physician,  expect  that  the  Colonel's 
poultry,  fine  as  it  was,  could  set  well  on  his  stomach,  when 
he  and  his  two  companions  devoured  them  all  without  the 
sanction  of  Major  Burd  and  Captain  Shippen;  or  I  should 
rather  say  without  the  favor  and  enjoyment  of  their  company 
at  the  banquets.  However,  Providence  has  made  it  up  to 
you,  and  I  congratiilate  you  too  on  the  addition  of  your  tur- 
nips, &c.  Your  poor  sick  man  will  be  all  the  better  for 
them. 


RICHARD  PETERS  (SECRETARY)  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  FORT 
AUGUSTA. 

Philadeljiliia,  April  Ith^  1757. 

Sir  : — I  am  obliged  to  you  for  your  kind  favor.  As  Col. 
Clapham  declines  further  service,  my  duty,  as  well  as  the 
particular  attachment  which  I  have  to  your  person  and 
family,  will  lead  me  to  serve  you,  inform  you,  correspond 
with  you,  and  promote  your  interest,  ease  and  satisfaction, 
all  I  can.     At  present  you  stand  well  with  the  Governor. 

Could  you  preserve  the  soldiers  from  leaving  the  service 
all  would  do  well,  and  I  should  not  doubt  of  your  makino-  a 


76 

gallant  defence.  I  will  write  you  by  Peter  Bard,  as  I  shall 
then  know  in  what  temper  the  garrison  is,  after  Capt. 
Young's  visit. 

I  am  in  the  greatest  haste.     I  wish  you  everything  your 
heart  can  desire.     God  bless  you. 


SECRETARY  PETERS  TO  MAJOR  BURD,  AT  FORT  AUGUSTA. 

PMladelpMa,  May  \st,  Ylhl. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  am  favored  with  two  of  yours.  The  Go- 
vernor expressed  great  satisfaction  in  your  conduct.  Pray 
write  to  him  by  all  opportunities.  It  is  not  here  that  the 
intelligence  given  you  by  the  Six  Nation  Indians  would 
have  any  foundation  in  it ;  but  as  our  accounts  agree  that 
there  are  seven  hundred  men  more  at  Fort  Du  Quesne  and 
four  hundred  at  Venango,  it  is  not  improbable  but  parties 
of  fifty  or  sixty  French  and  Indians,  perhaps  more  French 
to  a  party,  will  drive  a  final  stroke  on  our  back  inhabitants 
this  spring  and  in  harvest.  The  two  main  points  are  to 
screen  your  numbers,  and  to  obtain  intelligence,  in  which  I 
am  sure  you  will  do  all  in  your  power,  as  you  know  the 
country  would  think  you  could  convey  letters  to  Colonel 
Armstrong,  who  may  post  his  men  so  as  to  cut  off  those 
parties  in  their  retreat,  though  I  believe  the  routes  will 
be  from  above  Drahaye  through  the  country  east  of  Sus- 
quehanna to  the  Minnicks  and  Northampton  county,  where 
murders  are  daily  committed,  and  new  parties  expected. 

Dr.  Morgan's  business  very  much  requires  his  waiting 
here,  and  particularly  his  attendance  at  the  commencement, 
and  I  would  fain  have  persuaded  the  General  to  order  him 
down,  but  he  did  not  choose  to  do  it,  on  receipt  of  your  let- 


77 

ters.  I  think  if  you  would  so  far  favor  him  as  immediately 
to  order  him  on  service  with  the  recruits  here,  it  would,  at  this 
time,  be  particularly  kind  and  agreeable  to  him.  You  can 
judge  best  of  the  circumstances  of  your  command;  but  if 
those  will  admit,  his  friends  here,  who  are  all  yours,  desire 
much  that  he  may  not  let  slip  the  taking  his  degrees  at  the 
commencement.  No  news,  no  packet,  no  fleet,  no  trade — 
all  are  embargoed.     I  am,  sir,  j-ours  affectionately. 


COL.  SniPPEN  TO  MAJOR  JAMES  BURD,  FORT  AUGUSTA. 

Lancaster,  May  l^tli,  1757. 

Dear  Brother: — T  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that 
we  all  arrived  here  Tuesday  night,  except  Capt.  Lloyd, 
whom  we  left  at  Harris'  ferry,  too  much  indisposed  to  ride ; 
he  therefore  gave  me  your  letter  to  the  Governor,  and  de- 
sired me  to  wait  upon  him,  with  the  other  Captains,  agreea- 
bly to  your  instructions.  When  I  came  here,  I  found  the 
Governor,  Col.  Stanwix,  with  other  Royal  American  offi- 
cers, and  Mr.  Hamilton,  at  our  house  drinking  tea,  and  as 
soon  as  I  came  into  the  parlor,  Mr.  Hamilton  introduced 
me  to  them.  We  all  waited  upon  the  Governor  yesterday 
morning,  but  his  hurry  in  the  public  aifairs  on  his  hands, 
prevented  him  from  finishing  our  business  with  him. 

This  morning  I  waited  upon  him  myself,  and  had  a  long 
conversation  with  him  in  regard  to  recruiting  the  regiment, 
when  he  told  me,  he  had  recommended  it  to  the  Commission- 
ers to  allow  the  officers  £4  for  every  man  they  enlisted  for 
3  or  4  years,  and  £5  for  any  enlisted  during  life.  But  they 
say  they  cannot  consent  to  allow  us  any  recruiting  expenses 
without  a  full   board,  and  they  assure  us,  when  they  go  to 


78 

Philadelpliia,  tlicy  will  take  tliat  matter  into  consideration, 
and  I  believe  they  will  allow  us  something,  the  Governor  hav- 
ing recommended  it  to  them  very  strongly.  They  have 
given  us  £25  each  to  recruit  with  for  the  present,  as  they 
have  but  little  cash  with  them,  and  they  will  supply  us  with 
more  money  whenever  we  shall  draw  upon  them.  They  in- 
sist that  all  the  troops  (except  300  in  garrison),  shall  be  em- 
ployed for  the  future  in  scouting  and  ranging,  as  the  Act  of 
Assembly  directs,  because  they  say  they  cannot  otherwise 
pay  them  agreeable  to  law.  The  small  pox  continues 
amongst  the  Indians ;  14  of  them  died  of  it.  The  treaty, 
I  believe,  will  be  over  to-morrow.  As  soon  as  I  know  the 
purport  of  it,  I  will  inform  you.  The  Indians  have  lately 
killed  a  great  many  of  the  inhabitants  about  Swatara  Gap, 
four  of  whom  were  yesterday  brought  in  town  scalped,  as  a 
spectacle  for  a  number  of  Quakers  now  in  town.  The  offi- 
cers are  to  set  off  this  afterHoon  for  their  different  homes  to 
recruit.  I  am  therefore  in  a  great  hurry.  The  Governor 
has  summoned  the  Assembly  to  meet  in  Phila'delphia  soon, 
in  consequence  of  the  late  murders. 


EDWARD   SHIPPEN   TO    MAJ.    JAMES   BURD,    AT    FORT 
AUGUSTA. 

Lancaster,  May  22d,  1757. 

Dear  Maj.  Burd: — Captain  Shippen,  a  most  welcome 
guest,  brought  in  your  agreeable  favor  of  the  14th  instant, 
and  found  Col.  Stauwix,  the  Governor,  Mr.  Hamilton,  and 
Captain  3Iunster  (a  German  Baron,)  and  several  other  offi- 
cers of  the  first  rank,  drinking  tea  with  us ;  to  every  one  of 
whom  Mr.  Hamilton  immediately  introduced  him. 


79 

I  have  engaged  nine  wagons  at  the  Col's  request,  to  go 
to  Winchester  for  powder  and  lead,  (being  the  remains  of 
General  Braddock's  cargo,)  to  be  all  bought  and  left  there, 
excepting  as  much  as  he  shall  deem  necessary  for  his  army 
of  two  hundred  or  three  hundred  men  at  Carlisle,  or  Ship- 
pensburg,  whither  he  is  going  nest  week,  and  if  I  can  pos- 
sibly sjiare  the  time,  I  have  promised  to  go  with  him  to 
show  him  the  country,  and  the  best  place  of  encampment. 
'We  have  had  May  meetings  of  the  Indians  here,  to  whom 
valuable  presents  have  been  given  by  the  Governor  and  the 
Quakers ;  but  as  Tcdyescung  and  the  Indians  who  were  ex- 
pected along  with  him,  were  not  come,  a  very  handsome 
part  is  reserved  for  them.  The  Governor  went  off  this 
morning  very  privately  by  way  of  Reading,  leaving  the 
Speaker  of  the  Assembly  and  some  other  members,  be- 
sides a  majority  of  the  Commissioners,  except  Mr.  Lardner, 
who  is  gone  home.  You  will  see  by  the  enclosed  papers, 
that  the  savages  have  been  committing  more  murders  near 
Swatara,  and  it  appears  to  me  that  unless  the  Militia  Act 
be  passed,  with  the  Governor's  amendments,  we  of  this  bo- 
rough shall,  in  less  than  a  month,  become  the  frontiers. 
The  Quakers  want  to  have  the  choosing  of  officers.  Several 
Quaker  preachers,  with  all  the  principal  men  of  that  Society, 
attended  the  treaty.  The  Indians  assisted  this  government 
to  send  a  message  to  the  Senecas  and  to  Tedyescung,  to 
come  down  with  the  Shawanese  and  the  Delawares,  to  hold 
a  treaty  with  their  brothers  the  English,  hinting  at  the  same 
time,  that  it  would  be  very  prudent  in  us  to  give  up  some 
points  respecting  some  late  purchases,  rather  than  not  to 
bring  about  an  accommodation  of  matters,  especially  consider- 
ing that  we  either  would  not,  or  could  not  fight,  and  they  made 
no  doubt  but  a  peace  might,  by  such  means,  be  concluded 


80 

between  us.  And  according  to  their  judgments,  Mr,  Jacob 
Gary,  an  Indian  trader,  is  employed  to  go  to  Diaboga,  to 
invite  these  Indians  down,  and  Mr.  M.  Lee,  I  hear,  is  to 
escort  some  of  those  Indians  (who  are  here)  up  to  your  fort, 
where  they  are  to  plant  Indian  corn  this  spring,  for  their 
subsistence,  as  they  are  to  settle  near  the  fort.  You  will 
see  by  the  papers,  that  Admiral  Byng  was  shot  the  24th  of 
March,  1757,  on  board  the  Monarque,  which  belonged  form- 
erly to  the  French.  The  Governor  has  issued  bis  warrants 
to  all  of  the  Assembly,  on  the  30th  instant. 

I  was  absent  from  the  8th  ultimo  to  the  7th  instant.  I 
spent  two  weeks  of  my  time  at  Philadelphia,  almost  one 
with  good  Mr.  Morris,  (who  sent  you  his  compliments,)  and 
another  with  Governor  Belcher,  and  riding  about  the  Jer- 
seys, and  coming  home.  And  as  to  your  savage  black  Colo- 
nel, (for  you  know  the  natives  of  Guinea  have  countenan- 
ces as  black  as  their  diabolical  hearts,  and  our  Indians 
blacken  their  faces  that  they  may  be  of  the  same  color  with 
their  hearts  also,)  I  can  only  say  if  he  knows  what  humility* 
is,  that  he  has  had  enough  of  it,  ever  since  he  came  to 
this  borough.  He  appeared,  it's  very  true,  with  the  crowd 
at  the  court  house,  once  or  twice  at  the  time  of  the  treaty, 
but  was  so  totally  neglected  by  the  Governor  and  the  offi- 
cers and  the  gentlemen  present,  that  he  seemed  to  be  sit- 
ting upon  needles  the  whole  time.  Nay,  I  would  not  pre- 
tend to  affirm  that  even  one  of  his  sad  colored  brothers  took 
the  least  notice  of  him,  so  that  it  seemed  to  me  that  he  was 
condemned  by  the  universal  consent  of  the  whole  human 
race,  except  the  pity  that  Captains  Croghan  and  McKee  took 
on  him,  for  they  visited  him  pretty  often  at  his  lodgings  at 
Frederick  Yesser's,  upon  the  score  of   mere   charity;    so 

*  Humiliation. 


81 

tbat  with  their  good  company  and  a  little  good  punch,  he 
has  been  able  to  survive  the  mortification  of  seeing  him- 
self lowered  from  the  state  of  a  colonel  to  the  condition  of  a 
nobody.  Israel  Pcmberton  has  reported  about,  that  you  are 
a  useless  member,  and  of  no  service  in  your  station,  but 
your  happiness  is  that  nobody  except  the  Quakers  believe 
his  report,  (nor  they  neither,)  for  the  Governor  and  Mr. 
Hamilton,  Mr.  Peters  and  Mr,  Larduer,  and  many  other 
deserving  gentlemen  take  your  part,  and  speak  very  respect- 
fully of  you.  I  had  this  story  from  the  several  gentlemen 
above  mentioned.  Capt.  Young  has  done  justice  to  your 
character,  and  to  Capt.  Shippen's,  so  that  said  Israel  Pem- 
berton  may  snarl,  but  will  never  be  able  to  bite  you. 

I  have  good  reason  to  believe  said  Black  a  mere  colonel, 
who  goes  about,  I  doubt  not,  like  a  lion,  not  a  roaring  one, 
for  that  he  durst  not  do,  but  a  whispering  one,  seeking 
whom  he  may  devour. 

Write  very  respectfully  to  the  Commissioners,  who,  I 
hope,  have  a  regard  for  you.  Captain  Shippen  is  not  re- 
turned from  Keading. 


CAPTAIN  JOSEPH  SHIPPEN  TO  MAJOR  JAMES  BURD. 

Lancaster,  May  31s?,  1757. 

Dear  Brother  : — I  wrote  you  on  the  19th  or  20th 
inst.,  since  which,  I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  an  oppor- 
tunity to  write  till  now.  On  Sunday,  the  22d  inst.,  the 
Governor  ordered  me  to  attend  him  to  Reading  and  Fort 
Henry.  The  Governor  took  this  small  excursion  on  the  fron- 
tiers to  spirit  up  the  people  to  act  for  their  own  defence,  and 
in  these  troublesome  times  he  would  have  visited  all  the  forts 


82 

on  the  eastern  frontiers,  if  he  had  not  been  obliged  to  meet 
the  Assembly  in  Philadelphia  yesterday.  There  are  eleven 
forts  garrisoned  by  Col.  Wciser's  battalion.  The  Governor  in- 
tends to  evacuate  them  all  but  Fort  Henry,  Fort  Allen,  and 
Fort  Hamilton,  between  which  all  that  battalion,  consisting 
of  450  men,  will  be  continually  ranging,  so  as  to  leave  always 
a  garrison  of  50  men  in  each  fort.  The  Governor  has,  with 
the  consent  of  the  Commis-sioners,  ordered  the  Colonels  to  raise 
150  men  for  the  immediate  defence  of  the  Eastern  Frontiers, 
and  they  are  to  be  discharged  when  our  regiment  is  complete, 
and  the  three  companies  of  his  battalion  can  be  recalled  from 
fort  Augusta.  I  was  absent  from  hence  eight  days  with 
the  Governor,  which  retarded  my  recruiting  so  long,  in 
which  I  have  found  little  success,  having  enlisted  as  yet  but 
five  men.  Captain  Jameson  writes  me  he  has  got  but  six. 
Captain  Hanibright  has  had  better  success ;  the  day  when 
all  the  Captains  came  to  town  to  wait  on  the  Governor  he 
enlisted  twelve  or  thirteen  of  our  discharged  Dutchmen,  by 
assuring  them  that  they  were  not  to  go  to  Shamokin,  nor  do 
any  kind  of  work,  but  to  range  and  scour  the  woods  con- 
tinually. This  pleased  them  so  much  that  they  have  been 
endeavoring  to  persuade  all  their  countrymen  they  meet 
"with  to  enlist  with  Captain  Hambright,  by  which  means  I 
believe  he  has  now  thirty  recruits.  He  himself  left  this  town 
ten  days  ago,  since  which  I  have  not  heard  from  him,  but 
his  brother,  (together  with  ten  or  twelve  of  his  men,) 
recruits  here,  and  gives  every  man  a  dollar,  besides  a  pistol, 
which  I  can't  afi*ord  to  do  unless  the  Commissioners  would 
allow  it,  so  that  nobody  recruits  upon  the  same  footing  with 
Captain  Hambright,  and  so  can't  expect  equal  success.  I 
enclose  you  the  original  beating  orders  by  Mr.  Peters' 
desire,  as   he  had  not   time  when   here   to  write  to   you. 


Captain  Lloyd,  (from  •wliom  I  have  not  yet  beard,)  did  not 
come  by  way  of  Lancaster.  Perbaps  the  Governor,  Commis- 
sioners and  a  number  of  gentlemen  and  Quakers  being  here, 
prevented  bim.  Tbey  continued  bere  four  days  after  I  arrived. 
He  desired  me  to  apologize  to  the  Governor  for  his  not 
coming,  that  he  was  sick  at  Harris'.  Christian  Vertz 
behaves  himself  extremely  well,  and  takes  a  vast  deal  of 
pains  to  persuade  men  to  enlist,  and  if  we  have  not  much 
success  it  is  not  for  the  want  of  efforts-  I  should  be  glad 
if  you'd  send  me  Vertz'  discbarge,  with  a  blank  for  the  date, 
that  I  may  have  it  ready  for  him  when  be  chooses  to  go, 
though  he  says  he  will  continue  with  me  while  I  have 
occasion  for  him.  I  think  he  should  be  paid  as  Sergeant 
while  he  is  recruiting  with  me,  he  deserves  it  as  well  as 
Bane,  who  assists  Captain  Work  in  recruiting.  If  you 
think  proper  I  would  be  glad  if  you'd  mention  bim  as  a 
Sergeant  in  bis  discbarge,  and  then  he  can  receive  Sergeant's 
pay  from  Captain  Young.  I  have  not  learned  yet  whether 
the  Commissioners  have  come  to  a  determination  about  an 
allowance  for  our  recruiting  expenses.  I  told  them  that 
unless  they  did  something  for  us  in  that  respect  the  recruit- 
ing service  would  necessarily  go  on  very  slowly,  &c.  I  am 
informed  that  my  lord  Loudon  sailed  last  week  from  New 
York,  that  a  day  or  two  before  be  ordered  a  general  press 
there,  by  which  means  he  got  1100  men  very  quickly.  It  is 
imagined  from  thence  that  the  English  fleet  and  transports 
are  arrived  which  every  body  is  impatient  to  hear.  Jemmy 
Pike  who  came  to  town  yesterday,  asserts  that  Major  Lewis, 
of  Virginia,  with  fifty  soldiers  and  one  hundred  and  seventy 
Cherokees,  has  destroyed  some  Indian  town  on  the  Ohio 
below   Du  Quesne,  taken   nineteen  Indians   prisoners  and 


84 

brought  home  five  scalps.  I  hope  this  may  be  true;  most 
people  believe  it. 

I  shall  write  to  my  brother  for  your  sword  and  one  for 
Mr.  Scott,  as  I  am  disappointed  in  going  to  Philadelphia  by 
meeting  the  Governor  here.  Enclosed  are  the  papers ;  my 
compliments  to  the  gentlemen. 

The  Governor  told  me  he  could  not  tell  me  whether  our 
regimentals  were  to  be  changed  till  he  should  see  Captain 
Young  in  Philadelphia.  He  seems  to  like  green,  trimmed 
up  with  red. 


EDWARD    SHIPPEN    TO    MAJOR   JAMES   BURD, 

Lancaster,  June  \QiIiy  1757. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — And  now  I  have  begun  this  letter, 
I  have  little  else  to  say  than  to  tell  you  we  are  all  well, 
except  that  just  as  Allen  Burd  begins  to  find  the  use  of  his 
feet,*  poor  Polly's  heels  are  tripped  up.  She  was  taken  with 
the  small  pox  four  days  ago,  and  as  her  fever  is  not  high, 
we  have  as  great  reason  to  think  she  will  be  as  favorably 
dealt  with  as  her  brother.  She  lodges  with  her  mammy 
Shippen,  and  will  not  be  contented  any  otherwise. 

Perhaps  it  may  not  be  improper  to  inform  you  that  I 
have  here  under  my  care,  seven  wagon-loads  of  powder  and 
musket-shot,  50  six-pound  balls,  and  plenty  of  flints,  which 
Col.  Washington  sent  me  from  Winchester  (Fort  Loudoun) 
by  Col.  Stanwix's  orders,  (being  some  of  the  remains  of  poor 
General  Braddock's  ammunition.)  There  were  nine  loads  at 
first,  but  the  Colonel  ordered  me  to  send  him  two  of  them  to 
Carlisle,  which  I  took  care  immediately  to  do.     I  refer  you 

*  After  an  attack  of  small  pox. 


85 

to  Captain  Shippen  for  inforinatiou  in  relation  to  your  re- 
cruits, &c.,  and  for  the  newspapers ;  but  I  must  observe, 
that  the  officers  have  been  very  diligent,  and  that  Captain 
Hanibright  seems  to  have  had  the  most  success ;  and  if  he 
has  not  been  too  cunning  in  his  business,  he  will  have  rea- 
son to  rejoice  at  the  thoughts  of  filling  his  company  so  soon. 
I  hope  he  has  promised  his  men  nothing  more  than  he  is 
able  to  perform  ;  I  wish  him  very  well,  I  am  sure.  How- 
ever, I  might  relate  you  a  little  story  of  him,  which  caused 
me  to  smile  last  night  at  Gibson's,  where  I  was  with  Doctor 
Thompson,  hearing  the  complaint  of  a  married  woman  against 
Clinch.  Observing  Clinch  to  sit  while  she  was  giving 
in  her  evidence ;  (we  took  notice  of  the  same  thing,  but  we 
said  nothing ;)  but  by-and-by  he  took  occasion  to  speak  to 
the  prisoner  again,  at  which  I  gave  a  gentle  reproof,  and 
desired  him  not  to  speak  another  word  in  an  affair  he  could 
not  possibly  have  anything  to  do  with.  He  seemed  a  little 
crumpled  at  first,  but  presently  came  to  himself  again,  yet 
I  could  perceive  by  his  countenance  he  would  not  account 
more  of  us  than  a  couple  of  wooden  Justices  ;  but,  notwith- 
standing all  I  have  said  about  him,  I  believe  him  to  be  a 
good  officer  when  put  upon  the  right  scent,  and  kept  within 
due  bounds. 

We  wait  now  with  great  impatience  to  learn  whether 
Lord  Loudon  is  going  against  Louisbourg  or  Quebec.  Vari- 
ous are  the  opinions  about  it ;  but  be  it  against  one  or  both, 
may  God  be  pleased  to  give  him  success.  I  understand  that 
Mr.  Lee  was  confined  by  the  Indians  he  was  sent  to  accom- 
pany to  Shamokin.  I  should  be  glad  to  know  the  truth  of 
that  story.  I  don't  approve  of  your  crossing  the  river  with 
parties  to  attack  any  impudent  Indians  who  may  show  them- 
selves there  in  a  small  number,  when  a'  majority  of  them 


86 

might  be  lying  in  ambush,  resolving  beforehand  to  attack 
your  men  or  not,  according  to  their  number.  No,  no ;  let 
the  dogs  and  their  brothers,  the  French,  come  over  to  your 
shore,  and  try  to  decoy  you  if  they  dare,  and  then  I  think 
you  will  know  how  to  deal  with  them,  with  all  their  strata- 
gems. But  don't  misunderstand  me ;  I.  am  very  sensible  I 
am  speaking  upon  a  subject  I  don't  understand,  and  must 
insist  upon  it  that  you  take  your  own  advice. 

Captain  Davis,  belonging  to  Col.  Stanwix's  regiment,  from 
Fort  William  Henry,  and  last  from  New  York,  tells  us  all  is 
well,  but  that  Lord  Loudon  has  not  yet  sailed  with  his 
Government  transports,  for  as  he  has  but  three  men-of-war 
with  him,  and  has  heard  from  Halifax  that  five  French 
men-of-war  have  been  seen  hovering  off  and  on  thereabouts, 
he  does  not  care  to  venture  till  he  receives  certain  advice  of 
the  arrival  of  our  seventeen  line-of-battle  ships,  with  the 
transports  from  England. 


CAPT.  TIIOS.  LLOYD  TO  MAJ.  JAMES  BURD. 

Philadelphia,  July  bth,  1757. 

Sir  : — His  honor,  the  Governor,  has  ordered  me  to  ac- 
quaint you,  that  Captain  Jameson  has  his  permission  to  be 
absent  from  Fort  Augusta  till  he  finds  himself  reinstated  in 
his  health;  on  which  account  you  will  be  pleased  to  send 
down  one  subaltern  the  less,  till  he  shall  signify  to  you 
the  recovery  of  his  health.  We  have  no  news,  of  any 
consequence,  but  ill  news — that  the  Fleet  from  Ireland  is 
not  yet  arrived,  though  we  flattered  ourselves,  from  some 
accounts  from  the  northward,  (since  contradicted,)  that  it 
was  arrived ;    nor  hear  we  a  word  of  Lord  Loudon.     The 


nation  at  home  is  in  the  greatest  ferment  ever  known,  inso- 
much that  almost  a  civil  war  is  apprehended.  Secretary 
Fox  is  reinstated  at  Westminster,  and  Mr.  Pitt  obliged  to 
resign  his  place  in  his  favor.  'Tis  said,  that  Pitt  was  for 
confining  the  war  totally  to  America,  that  Fox  was  oppo- 
side  in  his  sentiments,  and  for  carrying  it  into  Flanders, 
with  the  very  forces  destined  and  embarked  for  America ; 
which  opinion  pleased  the  Duke  and  Court  best.  The 
former  was  most  popular  and  agreeable  to  the  nation  : 
in  short,  the  Court  espouse  one,  and  the  people  the  other, 
and  nobody  knows  where  'twill  end.  I  beg  leave  for  Boon 
Penny,  one  of  my  recruits,  to  stay  at  Halifax  till  I  come 
up,  as  I  promised  him  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment  that  he 
should  not  go  to  Fort  Augusta  before  I  did.  He  writes  a 
very  good  hand,  and  will  be  an  assistance  to  Captain  Work  in 
the  store,  and  has  borne  commissions  as  Lieutenant  and 
Ensign  in  his  majesty's  service.  I  hope  you  will  have  no 
objection  to  my  keeping  ray  promise  with  him, 

And  am,  sir,  &c. 

P.  S.  I  have  leave  to  detain  Knipp  beyond  the  extent  of 
his  furlough  on  the  recruiting  service,  and  am,  &'c. 

7th.  We  have  now  certain  intelligence  of  the  Fleet  sail- 
ing, by  a  vessel  which  left  Cork  in  company  with  them; 
17  sail  of  the  line,  2  ketches,  2  fire-ships  and  150  trans- 
ports, and  parted  from  them  200  leagues  off  the  land. 


CAPT.  THOS.  LLOYD  TO   MA.JOR   JAMES   BURD,  AT  FORT 
AUGUSTA. 

Philadelphia,  Juhj  20^^,  1757. 

Sir  : — I  was  disappointed  in  my  expectation  of  a  convey- 
ance of  the  enclosed,  and  shall  take  the  opportunity  to  let 


you  know  that  I  fear  some  difficulty  will  arise  on  account  of 
the  defective  blankets  and  anus,  Scg.,  as  the  Governor  told 
me,  in  a  conversation  on  that  subject,  wherein  I  proposed 
their  being  given  to  the  recruits,  to  save  the  expense  of  car- 
riage, that  the  Commissioners  being  pressed  on  that  sub- 
ject, had  refused,  in  a  manner,  to  grant  them,  until  in- 
formed what  was  become  of  those  already  given,  for  they 
had  once  completed  the  battalion,  and  expected  no  more  such 
demands;  (I  don't  know  that  the  Governor  meant  this  as 
an  answer  on  that  head;)  but  you  must  know  they  intended, 
I  suppose,  to  pass  an  act  that  arms  should  never  perish 
through  time,  age,  and  blankets  never  decay — in  short, 
that  everything  which  had  the  honor  to  pass  through 
their  hands,  should  acquire  a  sort  of  immortality.  I  have 
purchased,  at  my  own  expense,  knapsacks  for  my  men,  and 
don't  doubt  the  rest  of  the  captains  will  think  them  neces- 
sary, as  it  is  a  much  better  way  to  carry  their  provisions 
and  their  clothes  free  from  the  effects  of  the  bad  weather, 
than  osnaburg  sacks,  or  any  other  kind  of  bags  they  can 
procure. 

I  have  enlisted  one  Theobold  Scheibel,  a  very  decent  and 
well-behaved  fellow,  who  has  been  long  in  the  German  ser- 
vice, whom  I  would  desire  to  recommend  as  a  sergeant  in 
our  company,  to  which,  from  the  regard  I  have  for  the  fel- 
low and  his  merit,  I  flatter  myself  you  will  have  no  objec- 
tion. You  observe,  I  remember,  in  a  former  letter,  that 
some  of  the  recruits  are  bad  and  unfit  for  service,  insomuch 
as  to  oblige  you  to  discharge  them,  for  which  I  am  sorry, 
and  hope  I  shall  not  be  a  sufferer  by  it,  as  every  one  of 
mine  have  been  examined  and  approved  by  the  Governor. 
But,  after  all,  it  happens  that  the  proof  of  the  pudding  is 
in  the  eating ;  and  a  man  who  looks  very  well,  may  prove, 


89 

when  tried,  quite  otherwise.  Indeed,  I  can't  say  much  for 
the  looks  of  mine,  and  in  a  court  of  justice  would  advise 
some  of  them  myself  not  to  have  great  dependence  thereon. 
However,  I  hope  you  will  not  conclude  to  discharge  any  till 
the  regiment  is  complete,  and  the  officers  reimbursed  what 
they  may  have  advanced  their  men ;  some  of  mine  arc 
many  pounds  in  debt  to  me — three  of  whom  I  purchased  of 
their  masters,  and  one  at  £14  expense.*  The  Duke  of  Cum- 
berland is  now  at  the  head  of  G0,000  men  in  Westphalia — 
an  army  of  observation — to  be  shortly  joined  by  a  body  of 
Prussians.  I  suppose  the  good  old  man,  his  sire,  is  a  little 
apprehensive  for  the  safety  of  his  electoral  dominions.  God 
guard  him  and  all  belonging  to  him,  even  Hanover. 
I  am,  sir,  with  the  utmost  esteem,  yours,  &c. 
This  party  of  mine  are  a  set  of  damned  fine  fellows. 


JAMES  READ  TO  EDWARD  SHIPPEN,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Reading,  July  31s<,  1757. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  am  exceedingly  obliged  to  you,  for  your 
very  kind  letter  by  Henry  Hahn.  There  is  much  matter 
in  it  for  my  serious  consideration;  but  there  is  nothing 
more  pleasing  than  your  giving  me  hopes  of  seeing  you.  I 
am  sorry  you  so  quickly  returned  Ozinde ;  and  I  must, 
when  I  see  you,  give  my  reasons  why.  The  Grammar  was 
published  in  1736,  and  the  Dialogues  which  I  mention,  not 
till  1749  ;  that  is  the  reason,  in  the  former,  he  makes  no 
mention  of  the  latter.  I  know  two  grammars  of  the  Greek 
language  written  in  English.     You  shall  hear  of  them,  and 

♦  Redemptioners ;  persons  brought  out  and  sold  to  pay  for  their 
passage-money. 


90 

of  some  other  things,  which,  by  your  letter,  I  see  you 
inclined  to  hear  from  me  about.  I  am  just  now  going  to 
get  together  our  night-watch,  and  must  leave  off.  If  I  am 
not  exceedingly  hurried,  (which,  having  no  clerk  who  un- 
derstands business,  I  expect  to  be,)  I  will  write  you  pretty 
fully  by  Mr.  G.  Ross,  when  he  returns  from  our  court.  I 
have  not  much  fear  about  my  Lord  Loudon.  I  expect  good 
news  from  him  soon.  Let  us  not  despond.  It  is  my  request 
now,  that  when  I  write  to  you  next,  you  would  read  my 
whole  letter  over,  and  consider  what  I  write,  before  you 
mention  anything  contained  in  it;  you  will,  then,  know  my 
reasons  for  this  caution.  What  a  terrible  prospect  have  ive 
in  this  quarter !  I  will  soon  let  you  know  what  reason  I 
have  to  expect  sad  desolation  !  Strange  officers!  —  surpris- 
ing inactivity !  I  am  of  opinion,  that,  except  in  the  regi- 
ment at  Shamokin,  there  is  no  discipline  on  this  side  Sus- 
quehanna. I  should,  too,  except  the  discipline  observed  by 
Dr.  JBusse. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obliged, 

affectionate,  humble  servant. 
P.  S. — I  beg  you  would  put  me  in  a  way  to  get  a  supply 
of  powder  and  lead  of  Colonel  Stanwix.     It   would  be  a 
very  great  service  done  us. 


CHIEF  JUSTICE  SHIPPEN  TO  IIIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  August,  1757. 

Honored  Sir  : — I  suppose  you  must,  before  now,  have 
heard  the  melancholy  news  of  the  loss  of  Fort  William 
Henry,  an  event  which  has  thrown  us  into  the  utmost  con- 


91 

fusion.  We  have  no  regular  account  of  particulars :  but, 
as  well  as  I  can  collect  them,  I  will  relate  them  to  you.  On 
the  news  of  the  approach  of  the  French  army,  Generul 
Webb,  then  at  Fort  Edward,  despatched  Col.  Young,  with 
1300  men,  to  the  assistance  of  William  Henry,  whose  gar- 
rison consisted  of  about  2200,  Col.  Young  seized  an  ad- 
vantageous post  near  the  fort,  and  awaited  the  arrival  of 
the  enemy,  who  appeared  (about  11,000  strong)  on  Thurs- 
day, the  4th  instant,  and  invested  the  fort.  They  were 
repulsed  several  times,  both  by  the  fort  and  by  Col.  Young, 
whom  they  attempted  to  dislodge  three  several  times,  but 
without  success.  We  know  nothing  more  of  the  action, 
but  that  on  IMonday  following  the  garrison  capitulated,  by 
which  3000  men,  together  with  a  very  considerable  quan- 
tity of  artillery,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

The  next  morning  the  enemy  appeared  before  Fort 
Edward.  What  has  happened  since,  we  know  not — but  it  is 
the  opinion  of  everybody  that  Fort  Edward  could  not  hold 
out  long.  We  are  in  hope  General  Webb  has  not  suffered 
himself  to  be  taken.  Should  that  be  the  case,  we  have  lost 
an  able  general,  and  the  only  train  of  artillery  left  in 
North  America.  Where  the  victorious  army  will  stop,  we 
know  not;  not  short  of  Albany  certainly,  perhaps  New 
York.  We  hear  that  there  is  an  embargo  at  New  York, 
and  not  a  boat  suffered  to  cross  the  water,  that  they  may 
be  as  full-handed  as  possible.  Part  of  the  Jersey  militia 
is  marched ;  more  are  going. 

Pennsylvania  does  nothing.  To  complete  our  misfor- 
tunes, there  is  news  of  sixteen  sail  of  French  line  of  battle- 
ships in  Louisbourg,  expecting  the  arrival  of  my  Lord ;  well 
prepared,  no  doubt,  to  receive  him.  Should  he  be  destroyed, 
I'm  afraid  America  is  gone. 


92 

August  nth. 

Since  writing  the  above,  Mr.  Allen  has  received  a  letter 
from  Mr.  Jno.  Watts,  of  New  York,  giving  an  account  that 
Fort  William  Henry  surrendered  on  the  9th  instant,  after  a 
very  vigorous  defence,  having  expended  all  their  ammuni- 
tion, and  split  their  largest  cannon  and  mortars  by  quick 
firing.  The  forms  of  capitulation  were,  that  the  garrison  should 
march  out  with  all  the  honors  of  war,  (that  is,  with  their  arms, 
drums,  and  colors,)  and  that  they  should  not  bear  arms  against 
the  French  in  America,  for  eighteen  months.  After  the  articles 
of  capitulation  were  signed,  and  the  enemy  admitted  into 
the  fort,  our  people  were  told  they  must  leave  their  guns 
behind  them,  and  they  were  accordingly  escorted,  unarmed, 
by  a  French  guard,  about  a  mile  from  the  fort,  and  there 
left  to  the  mercy  of  a  large  body  of  Indians,  who  scalped 
and  slaughtered  all  they  could.  Out  of  eighty  women  and 
children,  but  ten  escaped.  Col.  Munroe  got  into  Fort 
Edward  in  his  shirt,  having  been  stripped,  but  not  mur- 
dered. Good  Col.  Young  was  wounded  in  the  head,  his 
brain  so  affected  that  he  is  run  mad.  Capts.  Ord,  Furnace, 
Collins,  with,  I  know  not  how  many  more,  killed.  What 
number  of  soldiers  escaped  their  fury,  is  not  yet  known. 
The  thoughts  of  such  a  horrid  massacre  chill  my  blood. 
Nothing  but  French  perfidy  and  Indian  barbarity,  could 
have  planned  or  executed  so  hellish  a  villany.  Fort  Edward 
was  not  attacked  the  10th.  Great  numbers  of  men  have 
marched  from  New  York  and  Jersey ;  New  England  is  all 
in  motion.  We  are  not  without  hopes  that  there  will  be  so 
considerable  a  body  collected,  as  at  least  to  frighten  the 
French  from  pursuing  their  victory. 

As  none  but  posts  and  expresses  are  permitted  to  leave 
New  York,  we  do  not  hear  how  matters  go,  as  often  as  we 


93 


wish.     This  aflfair  concerns  us  all  so  nearly,  that,  for  uiy 
own  part,  I  can  think  of  nothing  else. 


EDWARD      SniPPEN     TO   MAJOR     JAMES     BURD,     AT     FORT 
AUGUSTA. 

Lancaster,  Monday,  August  23fZ,  1757. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — This  covers  a  scheme  of  Mr. for 

driving  away  the  French ;  but  this  I  am  sure  of,  let  it  be 
ever  so  good  an  one,  that  unless  we  put  it  in  execution  very 
soon,  they  will  drive  us  away.  We  have  heard  nothing  since 
the  post  (which  always  comes  on  Saturday,)  from  Fort  Ed- 
ward, so  that  we  are  in  hopes  it  has  not  been  attacked,  or  if 
it  has,  that  the  enemy  has  not  prevailed,  or  cannot  prevail 
against  it.  "We  have  all  the  reason  in  the  world  to  hope  for 
Lord  Loudon's  success  against  Louisbourg,  and  should  that 
place  fall  into  our  hands,  it  will  moderate  the  very  great  joy 
which  possesses  Monsieur's  heart  at  this  day,  for  having  taken 
Port  Mahon,  Oswego  and  Fort  William  Henry  from  us. 
The  English  Lion  is  opening  his  eyes  and  ears,  and  I  hope 
will  roar  first,  and  then  tear  up  all  before  him.  Let  us  hope 
that  every  demi-century  will  produce  a  Marlborough  or  an 
Eugene,  (Generals,)  for  the  land  service,  and  as  noble 
Admirals  for  that  of  the  sea,  as  ever  the  English  nation 
were  blessed  withal.  May  God  be  pleased  to  give  us  suc- 
cess against  all  our  copper-colored  cannibals  and  French 
savages,  equally  cruel  and  perfidious  in  their  natures  and 
the  truth  of  what  they  say  and  promise,  just  as  much  to 
be  depended  upon  as  every  thing  which  the  old  serpent  said 
to  our  first  parents  in  Paradise.  I  write  by  this  conveyance 
to  Captain  Shippen,  my  love  to  him  and  compliments  to 


94 

the  Kev.  Mr.  Steele,  to  Mr.  Bard  and  the  other  officers  of 
the  corps. 

The  Indians  rage,  scalp,  cut,  and  slash  more  and 
more  at  Swatara,  and  have  lately  began  upon  Paxtang,  so 
that  unless  Hunter's  Fort  be  kept  open,  all  Paxtang  will 
be  obliged  to  move  away  with  their  families.  And  this 
day,  Justice  G-albraith  has  carried  a  petition  from  Paxtang 
to  the  Governor  and  Assembly,  to  remove  the  garrison  from 
Fort  Halifax,  down  to  Hunter's  Fort,  as  it  cannot  be  sup- 
ported by  the  Province. 

I  hope  you  both  take  bark  every  day  by  way  of  preven- 
tion of  the  intermittent  fever,  which  rages  almost  throughout 
the  whole  Province.     I  mentioned  this  before. 


CAPT.  T.  LLOYD  TO  MAJOR  JAMES  BURD, 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  ^ih,  1757. 

Sir  : — I  have  herewith  sent  recruits,  the  names  of 

whom  you  will  see  in  the  roll.  I  am  greatly  obliged  to  you  for 
the  appointment  of  Sheibel  and  Gotlib,  as  Sergeants  in  my 
company,  and  am  fully  convinced  that  you  will  take  no  step 
prejudicial  to  the  interests  of  the  Captains  of  the  regiment, 
who  have  never  yet  had  any  just  cause  of  complaint  against 
your  conduct,  and  are  fully  persuaded  never  will.  I  am 
extremely  sorry  to  hear  of  the  [state]  of  your  hospital, 
and  believe  nothing  will  be  more  effectual  in  preventing 
disorders  in  the  garrison  than  the  plenty  of  vegetables  which 
your  care  has  furnished  them.  My  Lord  Loudon  has  return- 
ed to  New  York,  with  ten  regiments,  prevented  in  his  expe- 
dition by  the  arrival  of  a  superior  force  of  twenty-three  sail  of 
the  line  and  15,000  land  forces  at  Louisbourg.  His  lordship 


is  honest,  brave  and  -wise,  and  yet  tlicre  is  no  character  so 
sacred  which  envy  and  malignant  obloquy  will  not  attempt, 
no  merit  so  great  which  ill-nature  will  not  sacrifice.  'Tis 
for  this  reason  that  his  lordship  is  censured,  but  'tis  only 
by  the  bad — and  scoundrels  who  are  themselves  incapable 
either  of  acting  or  judging.  Scandal  is  a  tribute  which  all 
great  men  pay  the  public,  yet,  if  amongst  my  Lord's  ene- 
mies there  should  appear  but  one  person  worthy  our  notice, 
would'nt  you  be  surprised  to  hear  that  my  Lord  Chas.  Hay 
was  he.  My  Lord,  in  order  to  discipline  his  men,  exercised 
them  in  sham  sieges  and  feign  battles;  and  'tis  said  that,  iu 
council,  Lord  Charles  Hay  asked  Admiral  Holborne  why 
he  did  not  divert  his  folks  with  sham  fights  as  well  as  Lord 
Loudon.  For  this  and  other  freedoms  of  speech  he  was 
arrested,  though  the  third  in  command  and  a  Major  Gene- 
ral. I  told  you,  in  my  last,  of  the  unhappy  loss  of  Fort 
Henry,  but  Fort  Edward  is  ours  yet. 

'Tis  rumored,  and  we  fear  from  too  good  authority,  that 
the  Duke's  army  in  Flanders  is  routed,  and  himself  slain. 
Avert  it,  heaven  !  though  there  is,  from  circumstances,  room 
to  apprehend  its  truth. 

We  have  yet  no  Militia  Bill,  nor  any  likelihood  of  one 
shortly.  Governor  Denny's  lady  is  arrived  ;  he  writes  you 
by  this  opportunity.  Barracks  are  to  be  built  for  the  regu- 
lars in  this  city.  Recruits  are  very  scarce.  Prague  is  not 
yet  taken,  though  reduced  to  the  utmost  distress  ;  and,  ex- 
cept the  report  of  the  Duke's  defeat,  we  have  no  European 
news,  unless  the  taking  of  Bengal  from  the  East  India  Com- 
pany  by  the  Indians  themselves,  together  with  the  loss  of 
more  than  two  millions  of  treasure,  is  news  to  you.     By 

!  I  think  we  meet  with  nothing  but  losses,  and  am  tired 

with  reciting  them.     I  believe  you  think  me  like  Job's 


96 

messenger.  I  am  sorry  the  comparison  is  just.  Unhappy 
times !  I  hope,  in  return,  you'll  send  me  better  news  from 
Augusta.  You  can't  conceive  the  low  ebb  our  service  is  at. 
Colonel  Munroe,  in  his  capitulation  with  the  Montcalm, 
has  deprived  himself  of  the  whole  of  his  garrison,  which  was 
3000  regulars,  for  eighteen  months.  Men  are  wanted,  and 
very  scarce.  Perhaps  his  lordship,  for  the  want  of  them, 
may  find  himself  under  the  necessity  of  establishing  us.  I 
wish  he  may;  and  am  sure  he'll  find  the  benefit  of  it.  'Tis 
thought  he'll  dispose  of  some  of  his  men  in  garrison,  and 
lead  his  recruits  into  winter  quarters,  without  attempting 
anything  more  this  season.  Give  me  leave,  before  I  con- 
clude, to  observe  one  thing  worth  your  notice:  which  is, 
that  both  lawyers  and  magistrates  unite  in  asserting  that 
we  have  no  right  to  the  same  privileges  with  the  King's 
soldiers,  in  regard  to  enlisting  and  desertions,  and  in  every 
other  respect.  If  a  man  enlists  and  recruits,  we  have  no  right 
to  smart  money,  (which  I  never  took  in  my  life,)  but  a  man 
may  play  the  fool  or  the  devil  with  us  with  impunity ;  if  a  man 
deserts,  he  may  and  welcome,  for  them;  in  short,  they  make 
such  damned  distinctions,  that  the  recruiting  work  is  a  heavy 
burthen.  Immunity  from  prosecution  for  a  debt  if  less  than 
£10  sterling,  has  been  peremptorily  refused.  Nay,  my 
drummer  was  cast  into  jail  for  7s.  Qd.  currency,  and  I  forced 
to  pay  it.  I  wish  you  would  solicit  this  matter,  by  a  letter 
to  be  laid  before  the  House,  in  order  to  obtain  a  law  in  our 
favor.  Some  of  the  members  told  me  it  would  be  easily 
carried.  I  wish  you  would  write  to  his  Honor  on  that  head, 
and  he  will  lay  it  before  them.  I  am  sure  'tis  necessary, 
and  I  know  he  thinks  so,  and  if  you  apply  for  it,  he  will 
countenance  it. 


97 


RICHARD   PETERS    (SECRETARY)    TO    EDWARD    SIIIPPEN,   AT 
LANCASTER. 

Lancaster,  Sept.  12th,  1757. 

Dear  Sir  : — The  Governor  is  very  importunate  for  the 
tavern  fees.  Pray  enable  me  to  quiet  his  demands.  Ho 
expects  much  from  your  diligence,  but  says  he  never  saw 
any  return  of  fines,  or  a  stated  account  for  the  Gov.  from 
10th  August,  1756,  to  10th  August,  1757,  from  Lancaster, 
which  he  expects.     . 


RICHARD  PETERS  (SECRETARY)  TO  COL.  JA:MES  BURD,  FORT 
AUGUSTA. 

September  12th,  1757.  ** 
Sir  : — John  Young  will  tell  you  how  difficult  it  is  for  me 
to  get  one  moment  for  my  friends  ;  you  give  great  satisfoc- 
tion  to  the  Governor  and  every  one  else.  If  a  new  regula- 
tion is  made,  throwing  the  three  battalions  into  two  regi- 
ments ;  one  will,  I  think,  be  in  your  power.  The  second 
battalion  of  Royal  Americans  is  now  on  its  march  to  reinforce 
Colonel  Stanwix,  and  one  to  Carlisle.  All  your  friends  are 
well.  The  continuance  of  Captain  Lloyd  in  this  city  so  long, 
bad  been  taken  notice  of  by  some  people  who  do  not  wish 
him  well,  and  the  Governor  is  blamed  for  performing  une- 
qual duty.  If  the  Duke  of  Cumberland  holds  his  ground 
and  Prague  falls  into  the  hands  of  Prussia,  all  will  do  well ; 
but  if  any  accident  happens  to  either,  we  shall  be  obliged  to 
patch  up  a  bad  peace.  I  thank  you  for  your  favors.  I 
deserve  no  more,  being  so  bad  a  correspondent,  but  affection 
and  readiness  to  serve  you  are  not  wanting, 
E 


98 


CAPT,    DANIEL   CLARK    TO    COL.   BURD,   AT  FORT   AUGUSTA. 

Lancaster,  September  27th,    1757. 

Dear  Ma.jor  : — I  have  this  day  sent  oflF  six  men,  which 
I  hope,  with  the  command,  will  arrive  safe  at  Fort  Augusta. 
I  have  kept  them  to  assist  at  the  election  which  is  next 
Saturday.  Captain  Bosom  worth's  lady  arrived  here  last 
night  from  New  York,  and  informs,  that  his  lordship  has 
marched  toward  Lake  George,  and  is  determined  to  rebuild 
Fort  William  Henry  this  winter.  Enclosed  are  the  last 
papers.  Our  Assembly  is  now  sitting.  The  people  hope  a 
militia  law  will  be  made  at  this  sitting.  Last  week  no  less 
than  twenty-two  were  killed  and  captivated  in  Hanover 
township.  Lord  Charles  Hay  is  still  at  Halifax  under  an 
arrest,  and  will  be  sent  home  with  the  fleet. 

Barracks  for  five  thousand  troops  are  building  in  Phila- 
delphia. It  was  proposed  they  should  be  built  at  the  head  of 
Arch  street,  on  one  of  the  proprietors'  lots,  but  Mr.  Hockley 
forewarned  them  of  erecting  any  buildings  on  the  proprietors' 
lots,  else  they  must  expect  to  have  forfeited  them.  They  have 
since  purchased  lots  and  are  going  on  very  fast  with  the 
works.  Colonel  Weiser  is  now  in  Philadelphia,  and  I  hear 
will  resign.  Captain  Bosomworth,  a  Lieutenant  and  thirty 
men  are  stationed  here,  two  companies  in  Reading,  an 
ensign  and  thirty  men  at  York. 


CAPT.  SHIPPEN  TO  MAJ.  BURD,  AT  FORT  AUGUSTA. 

Harris^  Sunday,  at  12  d clock,  October  2Sd,  1757. 
Dear  Brother: — The  Governor  (agreeable  to  the  pro- 
mises made  the  Indians  at  Easton,)  has  appointed  John 


Hughes,   Edward    Sbippen,   James    Galbraith    and  Henry 
Pawling,   Esqrs.,  Commissioners  for  constructing  a  stock- 
ade fort,  and  building  a  number  of  houses  for  the   accom- 
modation of  the  Indians,  at  Wyoming,  which  is  an  affair 
of  great  consequence,  to  be  done  immediately.     The  Gov- 
ernor   has    ordered    a    party   of    three    companies   to   be 
detached  from  the  Western  battalion,  to  escort  the  above 
Commissioners  to   Wyoming,  and  to  accomplish  the  work 
there,   and   he   has   appointed    Capt.    Mercer   and   myself 
to   be    two  of  the    oflSccrs   upon    this    service.     The   bat- 
teaux  are  to  be  employed  in  carrying  provisions  and  tools, 
&c.,  for  this  expedition  to  Wyoming.     The  Commissioners 
will  be  here  on  Friday,  and  are  to  make  no  delay :  there- 
fore I  am  sent  up  with  orders  from  the  Governor  to  detain 
all  the  batteaux  at  Hunter's,  till  they  come  np.     But  upon 
consulting  with  Capts.  Hambright  and  Mercer,  I  have  con- 
cluded it  is  most  prudent  to  suffer  the  batteaux  to  go  up  to  Au- 
gusta with  the  present  loading,  as  you  will  be  in  great  want 
of  salt,  and  the  cattle  for  the  garrison's  winter  provisions. 
This  and  other  considerations  have  prevailed  on  me  to  sus- 
pend, in  some  measure,  my  orders  from  the  Governor.     I 
therefore  beg  it  as  a  favor  and  as  a  thing  of  the  greatest  ne- 
cessity, that  you   will,  immediately  upon  the  arrival  of  the 
batteaux  at  Augusta,  dispatch  them  off  again  for  Hunter's, 
that  the  Commissioners  and  the  detachment  may  not  Avait 
there.     I  expect  them  up  on  Friday  next,  at  furthest.     If 
they  are  detained    at   Hunter's   any  time,  all    the    blame 
■will   be   laid   at   my  door.      Everything   else    I   have  to 
say,  I  must  leave  till  1  have  the  pleasure   of  seeing  you, 
which  can't  be  till  the  Commissioners  go  up.     I've  given 
the  Governor's  letters  to  you  in  Capt.   Hambright's  care, 


100 

and  the  last  news.     I   have  something  to  say  in  excuse  of 
Capt.  Lloyd's  not  coming  up  now. 


CAPT.    THOS.    LLOYD   TO    MAJ.    JAS.    BURD. 

PMladelpliia,  November  15th,  1757. 

Sir  : — Ever  since  the  loss  of  Mrs.  Lloyd,  I  have  been  so 
indisposed  as  not  to  relish  writing  at  all,  or  even  able  to 
write,  for  the  most  part,  having  been  in  a  very  bad  state  of 
health,  which  still  continues.  I  wrote  you  some  time  past 
his  Honor's  answer  when  I  waited  on  him  for  his  commands 
to  Fort  Augusta,  which,  least  the  letter  may  have  miscar- 
ried, I  here  repeat,  namely,  to  make  his  compliments,  and 
tell  you  he  had  ordered  me  to  stay  for  some  time.  I  have 
great  reason  to  be  tired  of  Philadelphia,  and  if  it  is  agreea- 
ble to  you,  would  be  glad  you  would  write  to  me  with  orders 
to  return  to  my  duty,  in  such  manner  that  I  may  show  your 
letter  to  his  Honor. 


SECRETARY  PETERS  TO  MAJ.  JAS.  BURD,  AT  FORT  AUGUSTA, 

Philadelphia,  November  ISth,  1757. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  am  ashamed  that  the  Governor  has  not 
given  you  leave  of  absence.  The  length  of  time  and  severity 
of  your  duty  make  it  also  of  late  necessary,  as  I  observe 
by  the  return,  there  are  only  sixty-seven  wanting  to  com- 
plete the  regiment.  All  the  officers  now  recruiting,  may  be 
ordered  to  their  posts,  and  then  you  may  be  spared  to  meet 
your  family.     This  shall  be  my  endeavor  to  obtain  for  you 


101 

from  the  Governor,  who  is  afraid  of  leaving  the  command 
to  any  other  person,  lest  accidents  should  happen,  and  there- 
fore postpones  answering  this  part  of  your  letter.  I  have 
here  no  news  of  a  public  nature  different  from  that  you  see 
in  the  newspapers.  Poor  Captain  Lyon  was  taken  lately  by 
the  English,  and  retaken  by  the  French,  and  is  now  in  a 
French  post.  It  appears  to  me  that  the  Commissioners  will 
send  no  more  things  of  any  sort  to  Fort  Augusta,  till  a  new 
supply  bill  passes.  All  the  sum  of  £100,000  is  entirely 
expended,  and  a  new  debt  incurred.  Your  conduct  is 
highly  approved.  It  is  not,  I  assure  you,  for  want  of  re- 
minding the  Governor,  that  there  is  anything  wanting  in  the 
regiment.  Lieut.  Clark  resigned,  because  he  was  not  justly 
paid,  and  had  no  prospect  of  preferment.  This  is  to  your- 
self, as  well  as  what  I  say  above.  My  prayers  attend  the 
Commissioners  at  Wyoming.  Col.  Stanwix  marches  with 
five  companies  this  day,  from  Carlisle  towards  Lancaster, 
where  he  takes  his  quarters. 


COL.  BURD  TO  THE   GOVERNOR,  GIVING  THf  CHARACTER  OF 
THE  OFFICERS  OF  THE  AUGUSTA  REGIMENT. 

Ca2)fain  Lloyd,  a  young  gentleman  of  a  pretty  educa- 
tion and  a  good  scholar;  he  has  acted  always  as  aid-decamp 
to  Col.  Claphara,  and  has  done  no  duty  in  this  regiment, 
only  mounted  two  guards  since  he  came  last  from  Philadel- 
phia. He  is  a  gentleman  of  a  hasty  temper,  and  his  under- 
standing entirely  subservient  to  his  extravagant  passion, 
which  is  greatly  prejudicial  to  himself  and  troublesome  to 
all  around  him. 


102 

Captain  Shippen. — My  near  connection  with  this  gentle- 
man, I  hope,  will  apologize  for  me  to  the  Grovernor  for  not 
doing  justice  to  his  merit.  I  beg  leave  to  refer  his  Honor 
to  Mr.  Young,  the  Paymaster,  or  to  Wm.  Allen,  Esq.,  and 
James  Hamilton,  Esq.,  for  his  character,  and  will  only  say 
that  he  does  his  duty  with  great  punctuality. 

Captain  WorJc,  a  gentleman  of  good  nature,  does  his  duty 
with  cheerfulness,  and  of  good  spirit. 

Captain  Jameson,  a  gentleman  of  education;  does  his 
duty  well,  and  is  an  exceeding  good  officer. 

Captain  Hamhright,  a  good  soldier,  and  indefatigable  in 
the  service  of  his  country. 

Captain  Trump,  does  his  duty  with  freedom,  and  has 
shown  a  good  spirit  upon  all  occasions. 

Captain- Lieutenant  Davis,  does  his  duty  well,  and  a  good 
officer. 

Lieut.  Garraway,  a  gentleman  of  some  education,  strictly 
punctual  in  the  observance  of  duty,  a  good  soldier,  and 
ready  to  exert  himself  at  all  times  in  the  service  of  his 
country. 

Lie^lt.  Clarh,  a  young  gentleman  of  education,  a  very 
good  officer,  does  his  duty  well,  and  has  a  great  deal  of  spirit 
and  merit. 

Lieut.  Clayton,  AJJiitant,  an  exceeding  good  soldier, 
very  active,  and  extremely  assiduous  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duty. 

Lieut.  Clapliam,  Jr.,  I  can  say  very  little  about. 

Lieut.  Miles,  Sen.,  does  his  duty  pretty  well. 

Lieut.  Atlee,  a  young  gentleman  of  some  education,  a 
sprightly  young  man,  has  good  spirit,  and  does  his  duty 
well. 


Ensign  Broadhead,  a  gentleman  of  little  education  but 
a  very  good  soldier ;  does  his  duty  well  and  cheerfully. 

Ensiijn  Patterson,  a  gentleman  of  little  education,  a  very 
good  soldier,  and  does  his  duty  well. 

Ensign  Scott,  docs  his  duty  pretty  well. 

Morgan,  Surgeon,  a  gentleman  of  education,  and  does  his 
duty  very  well. 

Miles,  Jr.,  a  sprightly  young  man,  does  his  duty  very 
well ;  will  make  a  very  good  officer. 

Rev.  Mr.  Steele,  Chaplain,  acts  in  his  station  to  the 
general  satisfaction  of  all  the  officers,  and  claims  their  re- 
spect. 


CHIEF  JUSTICE  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHEU,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  Dec.  dth,  1757. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — I  have  spoke  to  two  of  the  master  chimney 
sweepers,  about  sending  a  boy  or  two  to  Lancaster,  but  they 
say  they  are  at  present  so  busy  in  town  that  they  can  by  no 
means  stir  as  yet.  I  hope  to  prevail  on  one  to  go  in  a  short 
time. 

The  Governor  has  been  prevailed  upon  at  last  to  give  his 
consent  that  Mr.  Burd  shall  come  down  to  Philadelphia, 
and  I  believe  orders  have  gone  up  accordingly. 


104 


s 


^ 

«6 

c^ 

g 

4) 

4 

'^ 

6i 

-§ 

c^ 

s« 

S 

cs 

a. 

s> 

i- 

<>5 

c 

-< 

O 

S^ 

t« 

■^ 
s 

^ 

c 

^i 

s; 

^ 

O 

Vi 

•^ 

« 

-s 

'^ 

0^ 

.1* 


^ 


o  o 


_Q  —  -^  b: 
y   o   t*   rt   M 

O  -O  o  o 


55 


H 

W 

w 


"k. 


C     orj     J3    *. 


jas  -a 


CO  Cl  CO  "<:*< 


O 


•019  'sa^nosu^  ^ 


o   2   rt   o 
bC  p-  >    iH 

O     O     J-     rt 


I— i  I— I  I— I  00  (M  (M         CO 


a  3  ^  s  0  n  Q 


a 


O 


105 


COL.  SHIPPEN  TO  III.S  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Fort  Augusta,  January  2d,  1758. 

Dear  and  Honored  Sir  : — I  was  favored  with  several  of 
your  aflFectionate  letters  two  nights  before  the  Major*  left 
us. 

I  am  sorry  for  the  unfortunate  accident  in  the  accadcmy, 
between  Mr.  Smith  and  3Ir.  Allen's  son.  I  hope  the  conse- 
quence of  the  quarrel  will  teach  that  gentlemen  to  practice 
more  philosophy  in  his  discipline  for  the  future. 

I  believe  Captain  Jameson  has  lost  the  small  book  on 
fortification,  you  desired  me  to  borrow  for  you  from  Captain 
Mercer.  However,  I  will  ask  him  when  he  comes  up  with 
the  batteaux.  I  should  have  been  glad  to  have  had  the 
pleasure  of  testing  some  of  mammy's  good  minced  pies,  and 
enjoying  all  your  companies  with  the  Major  at  Christmas,  but 
I  must  content  myself  with  only  having  had  the  honor  of 
feasting  on  a  few  whorthherry  pies,  made  by  the  famous 
quondam  cook  of  the  brave  old  General  Blakeny.  Plain, 
wholesome  repast. 


CH.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

PhiladeJpliia,  January  Sth,  1758. 

Hon.  Sir  : — Conrad  Weiser  has  resigned,  and  a  commis- 
sion is  making  out  for  Mr.  Burd  as  Lieutenant  Colonel. 

Our  Assembly  have  taken  up  William  Moore  and  the 
Provost,  and  put  them  into  custody  for  writing  a  libel 
against  the  former  assembly.     Thomas  Bond  and  Phinca^ 

*  Colonel  Buril. 
E* 


106 

(Bond,)  were  ou  the  point  of  being  committed  on  the  same, 
account.  The  latter  was  actually  in  the  custody  of  the 
Sergeant-at-arms,  but  afterwards  discharged.  How  the 
matter  will  end  is  yet  uncertain. 

Samuel  Rhodes,  William  Griffiths,  and  Jacob  Lewis,  have 
purchased  of  the  proprietors,  all  that  piece  of  ground  adjoin- 
ing the  house  where  the  Governor  lives,  together  with  the 
ground  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  way  down  to  the  dock, 
for  which  they  have  given  a  bill  of  exchange  for  two  thous- 
and guineas.  They  design  to  lay  it  out  in  lots  for  sale. 
Thomas  Willing  has  almost  agreed  for  the  piece  of  ground 
adjoining  his  house  for  £900  sterling. 

Mr.  Burd  is  not  certain  when  he  shall  leave  town  The 
Governor  is  so  dilatory,  that  no  business  can  be  done  with 
him. 

Mr.  Burd  has  an  account  of  Johnny  Burd's  death  at 
Jamaica,  and  also  of  the  death  of  another  brother  at  Suri- 
nam. 


JOSEPH    SHIPPEN    (col.)  TO    MAJOR   JAMES   BURD,  AT  LAN- 
CASTER. 

Fort  Augusta,  January  20th,  1758. 

Dear  Brother  : — I  had  the  pleasure  to  write  you  the 
2d  inst.,  per  Mr.  Bard,  when  I  enclosed  you  the  returns, 
&c.,  for  the  1st  January,  1758;  since  which  several  small 
parties  of  Delaware  Indians  have  arrived  here  with  skins  to 
trade,  at  the  store ;  among  the  rest  came  old  King  Neu- 
timus,  Joseph,  and  all  their  family  ;  and  we  have  now  forty- 
three  present,  including  women  and  children. 

Job  Chilloway  (brother  to  Bill  Chilloway,)  came  here 


107 

t'other  day  from  the  Muusey  country,  at  the  heads  of  the 
Cuyuga  Branch,  above  Dhitoga.  He  was  born  and  bred  at 
Egg-Harbor,  is  a  very  sensible  fellow,  and  speaks  the  P]ng- 
lish  language  perfectly  well.  From  all  the  circumstances  of 
his  conversation  and  behaviour,  he  appears  to  be  a  strict 
friend  to  the  English  interest.  His  releasing  Armstrong's 
wife  from  the  enemy  Indians  last  summer,  and  the  prudent 
precautions  he  used  in  sending  her  here,  is  a  confirmation 
of  my  good  opinion  of  him.  He  assures  me  that  the  only 
Indians  on  the  Susquehanna  who  are  our  enemies,  are  those 
of  the  Munsey  nation,  and  they  are  determined  to  continue 
the  war  against  the  English.  He  says,  he  understood  from 
some  of  the  Indians,  when  he  came  away,  that  a  small 
party  of  French  were  expected  next  month  from  Niagara, 
to  join  a  Munsey  captain  and  some  of  his  warriors;  and 
their  intention  is  to  go  towards  the  settlements  near  Dela- 
ware, and  to  take  an  English  fort,  situated  at  a  place  called 
by  the  Indians  the  Bending  Hill,  which  we  suppose  to  be 
Fort  Allen.  He  further  informs  me,  that  last  March  he 
carried  a  parcel  of  skins  to  the  French  at  Niagara,  to  pur- 
chase clothing  for  his  family,  which  sheer  necessity  obliged 
him  to  do,  much  contrary  to  his  inclination,  observing  that 
the  unhappy  Indian  war  had  put  an  end  to  English  trade ; 
that  while  he  was  at  that  fort  there  were  but  five  officers, 
and  he  computed  the  number  of  soldiers  not  to  exceed  150, 
who  by  his  description  of  their  appearance  and  dress  are 
regulars ;  that  they  mounted  in  the  fort  45  pieces  of  can- 
non, some  of  which  were  the  brass  field  pieces  taken  from 
General  Braddock,  which  they  intended  in  the  summer  to 
send  to  Fort  Frontenac ;  that  the  fort  was  strong  and  pretty 
large,  having  in  it  a  great  stone  house,  three  stories  high, 
where  the  officers  lived.     He  intends  to  return  to  the  Mun- 


108 

sey  country  in  a  few  clays,  in  order  to  bring  away  his  things, 
and  in  the  spring  is  determined  to  live  among  his  brethren 
the  English,  with  whom  he  has  always  enjoyed  peace  and 
friendship.  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you,  that  Cap- 
tain Jameson  and  Lieutenant  Garraway  arrived  here  yester- 
day, with  12  batteaux,  containing  6000  pounds  of  flour, 
2  hogsheads  of  whiskey,  3  barrels  of  sajt,  and  20  bushels 
of  Indian  corn  for  the  garrison,  beside  a  quantity  for  Mr. 
Carson's  store. 

In  the  morning,  I  shall  dispatch  off  Captain , 

Lieutenant  Davis  and  Ensign  McKee,  with  a  party  of  fifty 
men  in  the  batteaux,  to  make  another  trip,  if  possible, 
while  the  river  is  open  and  favorable.  I  have  restricted  the 
garrison  to  an  allowance  of  one  pound  of  flour  per  man 
since  the  first  of  January,  and  shall  think  it  necessary  to 
continue  the  same  till  Captain  Davis'  return  with  an  addi- 
tional supply.  We  have  now  in  store  17,390  pounds  of 
flour,  and  91,481  pounds  of  beef. 

Enclosed  you  have  a  list  of  prisoners  here  for  desertion. 


EDW^VBD  SHirPEN  (OH.  J.)  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Pldladelpliia,  January  28<A,  1758. 
Hon.  Sir  :— The  affair  of  Will.  Moore  and  Mr.  Smith  has 
put  everything  into  a  flame.  Moore,  upon  being  called  upon, 
acknowledged  himself  the  author,  so  that  he  was  committed 
without  any  trouble.  Smith  denied  the  charge,  which 
was  against  him,  for  aiding  and  abetting  the  writing,  and 
publishing  the  libel;  so  a  solemn  trial  came  on,  which 
lasted  two  or  three  days,  and  at  last  ended  in  the  conviction 
of  Smith.     After  his  condemnation,  he  made  a  very  elo- 


100 

qucnt  and  puthctic  speech,  which  had  such  an  ctVcct  upon 
the  auditory,  that  about  a  hundred  people  joined  in  a  gene- 
ral clapping  of  hands,  in  the  face  of  the  House.  This,  you 
may  believe,  gave  great  offence.  The  members  started 
from  their  seats,  and  called  upon  their  friends  for  assistance. 
The  doors  were  immediately  shut  to,  and,  after  the  confu- 
sion was  pretty  well  over,  there  was  an  inquiry  set  on  foot 
for  the  discovery  of  the  clappers;  several  were  charged 
and  committed  to  the  sergeant-at-arms ;  the  rest  of  the 
evening  was  spent  in  long  harangues  on  the  heinousness  of 
the  insult.  The  next  morning,  people  were  invited  in  to 
make  discoveries,  but,  in  so  general  and  sudden  affairs, 
few  particulars  could  be  fixed  upon.  However,  the  follow- 
ing persons  were  at  last  charged  upon  oath,  viz  :  John  Bell, 
James  Young,  Thomas  Lawrence,  William  Peters,  Richard 
Hockley,  Charles  Osborne,  and  William  Vanderspiegel. 
They  were  sent  accordingly  to  make  their  defence ;  some 
asked  pardon,  others  were  more  stout,  and  would  make 
little  or  no  confession.  The  House  has  the  matter  still 
under  considei'ation,  and  the  above  gentlemen  are  in  the 
custody  of  the  sergeant-at-arms,  but  permitted  by  him  to 
remain  at  their  own  houses.  Thomas  Willing,  apprehen- 
sive that  he  likewise  should  be  charged,  went  voluntarily 
into  the  House,  and  acknowledged  himself  guilty,  and  made 
proper  concessions ;  upon  which  he  was  excused,  as  having 
behaved  with  manliness  and  candor. 

Mr.  Lardner  was  charged,  but  was  acquitted,  upon  prov- 
ing he  was  not  out  of  his  own  house  all  that  evening.  I 
make  no  comments  on  this  affair  till  I  see  you.  I  shall 
only  say  that  people  are  more  equally  divided  in  their 
sentiments  of  the  Assembly,  than  has  been  usual.  I  have 
only  told  you  the  general  part  of  the  story ;  the  particulars 


110 


are   so  numerous  and  so  circuinstautial,   that  I  will  not 
attempt  a  relation  by  letter. 


EXTRACT  FROM  MR.  FRANKLIN  S  LETTER, 

Dated  January  Wth,  1758. 

Benjamin  Frantlin  insisted,  in  a  conference  with  the 
Proprietaries,  that  when  commissioners  were  named  in 
a  bill,  the  Governor  might  not  strike  out  or  change  them  at 
his  pleasure,  as  none  but  his  own  creatures  might  be 
admitted,  and  the  Assembly  might  as  well  trust  him  with 
the  whole;  and  that  it  was  an  undoubted  right  of  the 
House  of  Commons  to  name  commissioners  in  bills,  in  all 
cases,  where  they  thought  it  necessary  and  proper ;  and  to 
have  such  commissioners  so  named,  stand  without  alteration 
and  amendment,  and  therefore  our  Assembly  claimed  the 
said  privileges.  To  which  he  was  answered,  that,  in  such 
cases,  before  the  House  of  Commons  inserted  the  names  of 
commissioners  in  bills,  the  rest  was  privately  settled  with 
the  ministry  by  the  committees,  but,  though  it  must  be  a 
privilege  of  the  House  of  Commons,  it  did  not  follow  that 
it  was  the  privilege  of  a  Pennsylvania  Assembly  j  that  we 
were  only  a  kind  of  corporation  acting  by  a  charter  from 
the  crown,  and  could  have  no  privileges  or  rights  but  what 
was  granted  by  that  charter,  in  which  no  such  privilege  as 
we  now  claim,  was  anywhere  mentioned.  But,  says  7,*  your 
father's  charter  expressly  says  that  the  Assembly  of  Penn- 
sylvania shall  have  all  the  power  and  privileges  of  an 
assembly,  according  to  the  rights  of  the  free-born  subjects 

*  Franklin. 


Ill 

of  England,  and  as  is  usual  iu  auy  of  the  British  Planta- 
tions in  America. 

*Jes,'  says  he,  'but  if  my  father  granted  privileges,  he 
'was  not  by  the  royal  charter  empowered  to  grant;  nothing 
can  be  claimed  by  such  grant.'  I  said,  if  then  your  father 
had  no  right  to  grant  the  privileges  he  pretended  to  grant, 
and  published  all  over  Europe  as  granted,  those  who  came 
to  settle  in  the  province,  on  the  faith  of  that  grant,  and  in 
expectation  of  enjoying  the  privileges  contained  in  it,  were 
deceived,  cheated,  and  betrayed.  He  answered  they  should 
have  themselves  looked  to  that,  that  the  royal  charter  was 
no  secret;  they  who  came  into  the  province,  on  my  father's 
tflFer  of  privileges,  if  they  were  deceived,  it  was  their  own 
faults,  and  that  he  said  with  a  kind  of  triumphing,  laugh- 
ing insolence,  such  as  a  low  jockey  might  do,  when  a  pur- 
chaser complained  that  he  had  cheated  him  in  a  horse.  I 
was  astonished  to  see  him  thus  meanly  give  up  his  father's 
character,  and  conceived  at  that  moment  a  more  cordial  and 
thorough  contempt  for  him,  than  I  ever  before  felt  for  any 
man  living,  a  contempt  that  I  cannot  express  in  words,  but 
I  believed  my  countenance  expressed  it  strongly,  and  that 
his  brother,  who  was  looking  at  me,  must  have  observed  it. 
However,  finding  myself  grow  warm,  I  made  no  other 
answer  to  this,  than  that  the  poor  people  were  no  lawyers 
themselves,  and  confiding  in  his  father,  did  not  think  it 
necessary  to  consult  any. 


CH.    J.    SHIPPEN    TO    nrs    FATHER,    AT   LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  Fchruary  \Qth,  1758. 

Hon.   Sir  : — I  observe  your  rule  for  discounting,  and 
think  it  much  better  than  my  own,  which,  however,  I  shall 


11:2 

give  you  as  what  occurred  to   me  from  the  reason  of  the 
thing. 

Suppose  I  owe  £100,  payable  six  months  hence.  It  is 
agreed  I  shall  pay  it  now  upon  a  proper  discount.  What  is 
the  sum  to  be  paid  ?  First,  I  consider  it  shall  be  that  sum, 
which  with  its  interest,  will  amount  to  £100  in  six  months. 

Then  from  £100  ^  Then  calculate  the  interest 

Deduct  half  per  ct.  interest,  3  |      on    £3  for  six    months, 

I       which  is  Is.  9c?. 

£97  (Which  added  to  £97  Os.  Od. 


Makes  the  sum  £97  Is.  9d. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  (CH.  J.)  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia  February  21s<,  1758. 

Hon.  Sir  : — I  this  day  saw  a  letter  from  Colonel  Gage,* 
giving  a  very  discouraging  account  of  the  intended  expedi- 
tion to  Ticonderoga.  He  writes  from  Albany  that  the 
forces  would  not  be  assembled  at  that  place  till  the  14th 
instant;  that  things  were  not  in  that  state  of  readiness  which 
he  expected,  and  that  everything  appeared  to  be  conducted 
in  a  loose  manner ;  that  the  snow  upon  level  grounds  was 
four  feet  deep,  so  that  till  a  rain  and  thaw  should  come  to 
settle  it,  they  could  not  expect  to  make  much  head  in 
marching;  or  if  they  should  get  before  the  place,  that  it 
would  be  impracticable  to  storm  it  while  so  deep  a  snow 
remained ;  that  in  short  their  success  would  much  depend 
upon  being  favored  with  weather  and  some  lucky  accidents. 
He  seems  to  intimate,  that  there  might  have  been  much 
better  management  in  making  preparation  for  this  expedi- 

*  Afterwards  commander  of  the  British  troops  at  Boston. 


113 

tion,  of  which  he  does  not  seem  to  have  very  sanguine 
expectations.  He  writes  this  to  a  friend  in  confidence,  so 
that  you'll  please  to  be  careful  about  mentioning  it.  There 
seems  as  if  some  kind  of  fatality  attended  all  our  affairs  ;  what 
with  cross-accidents,  our  inattention  and  the  bad  conduct  of 
oursuperiors,  nothing  succeeds.  Our  Assembly  sent  an  Indian 
trade  bill  up  to  the  Governor,  in  which  they  appointed  nine 
commissioners,  most  of  whom  the  Governor  struck  out,  and 
named  others  in  their  room. 

Commissioners  named  in  the  Assemb/i/,  were: 

Joseph  Fox,  Abel  James, 

John  Hughes,  Edw'd  Pennington, 

Jos.  Galloway,  Sam'l  Wharton, 

John  Baynton,  William  Fisher, 

Isaac  Zane. 

Commissioners  named  hy  the  Governor,  loere : 

Edw'd  Pennington,  Samuel  Smith, 

William  Fisher,  Tho's  Willing,  - 

William  Coleman,  Will' m  West, 

Henry  Harrison,  John  Wilcocks, 

Evan  Morgan. 

The  Assembly  sent  up  the  bill  again,  with  the  JoUowing  new 
Comm  issio7iers. 

James  Pemberton,  Thomas  Wharton, 

Joseph  Richardson,  Enoch  Story, 

John  Reynell,  Daniel  Rundle, 

Thomas  Combs,  Plunkett  Fleeson, 

Peter  Chevalier,  Jr. 


The^bill  is  now  with  the  Governor,  but  I  believe  will  not  . 
pass.  In  that  case,  it  is  said  there  is  a  number  of  gentle- 
men who  will  apply  to  the  Governor  for  his  license,  to  carry 
on  the  trade  in  much  the  same  manner  as  is  proposed  by 
the  bill.  They  are  to  furnish  the  whole  stock  themselves, 
draw  six  per  cent  interest  for  their  money,  and  five  per  cent 
commissions  for  managing  the  business. 

.  Lord  Loudon  has  applied  to  this  province  for  eight  hun- 
dred men,  to  be  under  his  command  the  ensuing  campaign, 
to  be  paid  by  us,  and  victualled  by  the  King.  What  our 
Assembly  will  do  I  know  not.  A  report  prevails  that  the 
eastern  battalion  will  be  destined  for  that  service,  and  that 
a  guard  of  fifty  men  only  is  to  be  left  at  Fort  Augusta. 
But  this  is  only  town  talk,  and  therefore  I  cannot  say  how 
far  to  be  relied  on. 

Mr.  Hamilton  sailed  last  Sunday  from  New  York,  and 
my  Lord  Loudon  has  set  off  for  Connecticut. 

I  write  you  all  our  news,  because  you  seemed  to  desire  it 
when  I  last  saw  you. 


JOSEPH   SHIPPEN   (COL.)    TO   LIEUT.    COL.    BURD,   AT  FORT 
AUGUSTA. 

Philadelphia,  April  l^th,  1758. 

Dear  Brother  : — I  have  been  here  now  a  week,  with 
Capt.  Jameson,  waiting  till  the  money  bill  should  pass,  be- 
fore I  could  safely  purchase  clothing  and  other  necessaries 
for  my  company.  The  Assembly  adjourned  themselves 
from  the  8th  to  the  18th  inst.,  and  now  they  are  sitting  to 
prepare  another  bill,  laying  aside  the  clause  for  taxing  the 
Proprietary  Estate,  which  must  certainly  be  assented  to  by 


115 

the  Governor  to-morrow  or  next  day,  unless  he  still  insists  to 
have  new  Commissioners.  I  waited  with  Capt.  Jameson  on 
the  Governor  when  he  came  from  New  Castle,  and  acquaint- 
ed him  with  your  orders  to  us  about  our  companies,  but  that 
we  could  do  nothing  without  money.  He  told  us  there  was 
no  money  yet,  but  perhaps  there  would  be  some  in  a  short 
time.  As  soon  as  the  bill  is  passed,  I  shall  proceed  to  get 
everything  in  readiness  for  my  company  immediately. 

General  Forbes  arrived  in  town  with  Major  Walker  last 
night,  but  nothing  yet  transpires  from  him  about  the  expe- 
dition. We  hear,  by  express  from  New  York,  that  Admiral 
Boscawen  is  actually  arrived  at  Halifax  with  a  large  fleet, 
and,  after  landing  the  troops  there,  proceeded  immediately 
to  join  Admiral  Hardy  to  block  up  Louisbourg.  The  2d 
battalion  Royal  American  regiment,  and  Otway's  regiment, 
have  embarked  here  on  board  of  transports,  and  to  sail  for 
Halifax  to-morrow  to  join  the  troops  there.  The  troops, 
which  the  several  colonies  have  agreed  to  raise  for  his  Ma- 
jesty's general  service,  the  ensuing  campaigns,  are  : 


•    In  the  Province  of 

Men. 

Massachusetts  Bay,     - 

7,000 

Rhode  Island,     - 

1,000 

New  Hampshire, 

1,000 

Connecticut,       -         -. 

5,000 

New  York, 

2,600 

New  Jersey, 

1,000 

Pennsylvania,     - 

:  :^';:}^.- 

3  (Lower  Counties)     - 

Maryland,  (suppose)  - 

1,000 

Virginia,  (suppose)     - 

2,000 

23,600 

116 

The  Army  under  General  Forbes  will  be  com- 
posed of  Montgomery's  Highlanders,  13 
companies, 1,300 

4  companies  of  1st  Batt.  Koyal  Am's.,  under 

Col.  Bouquet, 400 

3  Carolina  Independent  Companies,     -         -  300 

Regulars,    2,000 

To  be  joined  by  the  Provincials  of  Pennsylvania,  Maryland, 
and  Virginia,  and  a  large  number  of  Cherokees,  now  at 
Winchester.  Mr.  Allen  has  released  Smith  and  Moore  from 
prison,  by  a  habeas  corpus;  and,  as  soon  as  the  money  bill 
is  passed,  the  House  will  resume  the  consideration  of  that 
affair,  to  support  their  dignity.*  I  shall  endeavor  to  return 
to  Augusta  as  soon  as  possible,  with  the  Paymaster,  who 
says  he  will  pay  the  companies  there  first. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  LIEUT.  COL.  JAMES  BURD,  AT  FORT 
AUGUSTA. 

Lanca'-ter,  May  2d,  1758. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — Enclosed  is  a  few  lines  from  Captain 
Shippen,  whom,  with  Mr.  Allen  and  family,  and  all  our 
friends,  I  left  well  in  Philadelphia  last  Saturday.  I  know 
no  news  but  what  you  will  find  in  the  papers,  except  that  a 
Liverpool  man  tells  us  that  the  King  of  Prussia  has  obtained 
more  victories  over  the  French,  and  particularly  beaten  the 
Marshal  De  Richelieu,  and  all  his  troops,  from  Hanover.  I 
expect  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  with  Tommy  Willing  and  his 

*  See  Gordon's  Ilislory  of  Pennsylvania,  p.  353.  Smith  appealed 
to  the  Council  in  England,  which  sustained  his  appeal. 


117 

sister  Nancy,  here  to-night.  I  can't  tell  you,  of  a  certainty, 
of  any  promotions  of  our  Provincial  officers.  Capt.  Allen 
thinks  Capt.  Shippen  ought  to  stay  behind  to  command  Fort 
Augusta,  as  you  (it  is  supposed)  will  go  on  an  expedition. 
But  he  will  not  agree  to  this.  We  have  three  companies  of 
Highlanders  in  Lancaster,  in  exchange  for  Colonel  or  rather 
General  Stanwix's  battalion,  which  is  now  near  Albany. 

P.  S. — Mr.  Coleman,  at  a  Common  Council  held  last  Sa- 
turday, resigned  his  office  of  Clerk  of  the  Mayor's  Court 
and  of  the  Common  Council  to  Neddy's  hundred  a-year.* 
My  compliments  to  the  Major  and  all  the  officers.  Colonel 
Armstrong  is  in  town  (I  mean  Philadelphia)  and  Mr.  Peters 
told  Captain  Shippen  that  Colonel  Burd  ought  to  have  come 
down  too,  to  have  been  present  while  General  Forbes  and 
Sir  John  St.  Clair  were  in  their  consultations.  I  and  Capt. 
Shippen  made  answer  that  the  Colonel  would  have  readily 
come  if  he  had  had  any  intimation  of  it.  I  would  advise 
you  to  consider  whether  it  may  not  be  proper  for  you,  now 
you  hear  the  General  is  in  town,  to  wait  upon  him.  I  can't 
say  yes  or  no.  Do  what  you  please ;  but  if  you  should  re- 
solve to  come,  you  ought  to  lose  no  time. 


ORDER  OF  GOVERNOR  DENNY  TO  JOHN  HUGHES  AND  OTHERS 
RESPECTING  WYOMING. 

Philadelphia,  May  ith,  1758. 

Gentlemen  : — Tedyescung  having  demanded  the  per- 
formance of  the  engagements  made  by  this  government  in 
building  houses,  clearing  ground  and  makiug  some  other 

*  Mr.  Shippen,  according  to  the  fashion  of  the  day,  paid  an  an- 
nuity to  his  predecessor. 


118 

improvements  at  Wyoming,  and  having  fixed  the  time  for 
doing  it  to  be  within  three  weeks  after  this  date,  and  the 
Assembly  having  very  much  approved  of  my  intention  to 
employ  the  gentlemen  already  commissionated,  and  recom- 
mended it  to  me  to  use  the  utmost  dispatch  in  forwarding 
this  work,  I  make  you  acquainted  therewith,  and  desire  you 
would  once  more  undertake  the  journey  to  Wyoming,  and 
superintend  the  finishing  of  the  buildings  and  other  works 
to  be  "done  there  in  consequence  of  my  promises.  I  must 
particularly  desire  of  Mr.  Hughes,  as  he  is  in  town,  and 
one  of  the  Provincial  Commissioners  to  settle  everything 
with  them  respecting  the  number  of  carpenters  and  work- 
men, as  well  as  the  sums  of  money  necessary  to  be  engaged 
and  provided  for  this  service;  and  further,  that  he  will 
confer  with  Tedyescung,  and  fix  with  him  such  matters  as 
he  shall  think  proper  should  be  previously  agreed  upon,  and 
to  give  notice  thereof  to  the  other  Commissioners,  that  they 
may  conform  thereto,  so  as  not  to  miss  of  one  another,  or 
to  suffer  anything  necessary  for  the  work  to  be  left  behind ; 
I  understand  that  the  provisions  for  the  Commissioners  and 
their  company  must  be  sent  from  Fort  Augusta,  together 
with  the  tools,  and  many  other  things  which  were  left  there. 
The  Commissioners  who  go  by  Augusta,  will  take  them  with 
them;  and  if  no  Commissioners  go  by  the  way  of  Fort 
Augusta,  they  are  nevertheless  to  give  directions  that  the 
provisions  be  sent  in  batteaux  to  Wyoming ;  and  the  com- 
manding ofiicer  at  that  fort,  is  hereby  ordered  to  yield  obe- 
dience to  the  directions  of  the  Commissioners,  and  send 
them  up  with  a  proper  escort,  to  consist  of  an  officer  and 
twenty  men,  which  is  to  return  to  the  garrison  immediately 
on  delivering  the  provisions,  &c.,  to  the  Commissioners  at 
Wyoming.     You  are  to  act  agreeable  to  my  commission  of 


119 

the  fifth  day  of  October  last.  If  it  shall  happen  that  only 
one  Commissioner  can  attend,  the  person  attending  is  hereby 
invested  with  the  same  power  and  authority  as  if  the  whole 
were  present,  at  the  same  time  requesting  that  all  may 
attend  this  important  work,  if  possible. 

If  Mr.  Hughes  should  choose  to  go  by  way  of  Fort  Allen, 
and  a  convoy  be  wanted  for  him  and  his  attendants,  Capt. 
Orndt,  or  the  officer  commanding  there,  is  hereby  ordered 
to  send  along  with  them  fifteen  or  twenty  of  his  men,  with 
an  officer,  for  a  guard,  and  who  are  to  conduct  them  to 
Wyoming,  make  no  stay  there,  and  return  forthwith  to  the 
Governor. 

I  recommend  it  to  you  to  take  care  that  everything  be 
done  in  the  premises  that  the  Government  stands  engaged 
to  do,  as  far  as  in  your  power.  You  will  consult  the  In- 
dians in  the  course  of  the  work,  and  act  to  their  satisfaction. 
I  most  heartily  wish  you  health  and  a  safe  return. 
Gentlemen, 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  DENNY. 
John  Hughes,       -  ^ 

Edward  Shippen,  _, 

>  L sail  I  res. 
James  Galbreath,   i 

Francis  Tomltn,      J 


CAPT.  JOSEPH  SHIPPEN  (COL.)  TO  LIEUT.  COL.  JAMES  BURD, 
AT  FORT  AUGUSTA. 

Philadelphia,  May  Sth,  1758. 

Dear  Brother: — When  I  shall   take   my  departure 
from  hence  I  can't  yet  tell,  as  the  Governor,  with  General 


120 

Forbes  and  Sir  John  St.  Clair's  approbation,  has  been 
pleased  to  appoint  me  Brigade  Major  to  the  Provincial 
troops;  wherefore,  the  Governor  keeps  me  in  town  a  little 
longer.  The  money  bill  is  now  making,  but  it  will  not  be 
finished  and  signed  these  ten  days.  The  Government  is 
therefore  borrowing  money,  that  the  Paymaster  may  imme- 
diately pay  off  the  companies  westward  of  Susquehanna,  it 
being  thought  they  will  march  first  in  order  to  take  post  at 
Reastown.     How  this  will  be  I  can't  tell. 

The  Commissioners  are  ordered  to  take  another  journey 
to  Wyoming,  agreeably  to  Tedyescung's  request ;  Mr. 
Hughes  to  go  by  the  way  of  Fort  Allen,  the  others  via 
Fort  Augusta,  and  to  take  with  them  the  tools,  provisions, 
&c.,  in  batteaux,  to  be  escorted  by  only  twenty  men;  but 
I  believe  neither  my  father  nor  Jemmy  Galbreath  will  con- 
sent to  go.  General  Forbes  is  a  sensible  and  prudent  gen- 
tleman ;  I  wish  you  had  been  here  to  have  enjoyed  his 
acquaintance ;  however,  you  will  have  that  happiness  this 
summer. 

The  Highland  regiment  of  1100  men  is  to  be  embarked 
at  Carolina  the  12th  inst.,  and  I  suppose  will  be  here  the 
latter  end  of  this  month. 

Please  to  tell  Lieut.  Scott,  that  in  two  days  I  shall  send 
off  the  clothes  for  my  company,  viz.,  coats,  waistcoats,  lea- 
ther breeches,  stockings,  hats,  (my  shirts  are  making  at 
Lancaster). 


121 


CAPT     T.    LLOYD   TO    MAJ.    JOS.    SIIIPPEN. 

Fort  Henri/,  May  Ihth,  1758. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  had  the  pleasure  to  receive  at  Fort  Henry 
his  Honor,  the  Crovcrnor's,  orders  of  the  11th  of  May,  trans- 
mitted by  you,  to  which  I  have  paid  a  proper  obedience.  I 
sincerely  congratulate  you  on  your  promotion,  which  I  hope 
will  prove  an  introduction  to  something  more  considerable, 
and  that  I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  saluting  you  Imperator 
before  I  die.  It  gives  me  unspeakable  satisfaction  to  observe 
the  orde^'  of  your  regiment  in  general  for  this  campaign,  as 
I  take  it  to  be  a  happy  omen  of  their  future  good  behaviour, 
and  perhaps  the  surest  foundation  of  victory,  should  not 
anything  unhappily  check  this  generous  spirit.  You'll  see 
the  Pennsylvania  phalanx  sacrifice  myriads  of  enemies  to 
the  Manes  of  their  butchered  friends,  and  thunder  with  irre- 
sistible fury  at  the  gates  of  Fort  Duquesne.  You  may  per- 
haps mistake  this  last  efi'ort  of  my  genius  for  a  quotation 
from  some  modern  tragedy,  but  I'll  assure  you  upon  honor 
'tis  all  my  own,  and  that  I  would  as  much  despise  to  steal  a 
quotation  as  I  would  a  victory.  If  it  should  sound  a  little 
tragical  you  know  'tis  a  tragical  subject — to  the  French,  I 
mean.  I  intend  to  halt  herCj  for  want  of  breath  j  but  do 
you  go  on  and  prosper,  and  believe  me  to  be. 

Most  sincerely  and  affectionately  yours, 

T.  lloyd! 

'Tis  odd,  but  certainly  true,  that  the  company  at  Fort 
Henry,  who  before  used  to  sing  psalms  fervently  every 
day,   have,   ever   since   the  news  of  the   expedition,   sang 

F 


122 

nothing  but  songs  of  mirth,  and  seem  to  have  certainly  for- 
got their  psalms.  One  fellow,  on  being  told  that  he  would 
have  two  hundred  acres  of  rich  land  on  the  Ohio,  swore  he 
would  have  no  lands,  for  he  never  intended  to  work  any 
more.  The  same  fellow,  being  apprehensive  that  he  should 
be  left  behind  in  garrison,  damned  himself  if  he  did  not 
desert,  and  follow  the  regiment,  if  they  left  open,  one  mi- 
nute, the  back  gate  of  the  Fort. 

The  following  story  of  Dudley  Dougherty,  I  think  ought 
never  to  be  forgot : 

Dudley,  on  his  passage  from  Augusta,  fell  into  the  river 

in  a  d d  deep  hole,  and  would  have  been  drowned  if 

Captain  Hambright  had  not  pulled  him  out.  On  being 
asked  by  Hambright  if  he  could  not  swim,  he  answered, 
very  well.  Why  the  devil,  then,  did  not  you  do  it  ?  By 
my  soul,  answered  he,  I  never  once  thought  of  it. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN   TO    MAJOR  JOSEPH   SHIPPEN,  AT   PHILA- 
DELPHIA. 

Lancaster,  May  28^A,  1758. 

Dear  Son: — Yesterday  arrived  twelve  Cherokees  and 
one  Mohawk  from  Winchester,  recommended  by  magistrates 
there  to  Sir  John  St.  Clair.  They  are  going  to  Col.  John- 
ston's, and  I  have  employed  Mr.  John  Head  to  go  to  Phila- 
delphia with  them,  as  he  understands  the  principal  man  of 
the  Cherokees,  who  speaks  the  Shawnees  tongue  well ;  and 
I   hope  the  General  or  the   Commissioners  will   pay   Mr. 


123 

Head  handsomely  for  his  trouble.  The  expenses  will,  I 
hope,  be  paid;  for  if  the  charges  of  sending  Indians  back- 
wards and  forwards  are  to  be  borne  by  me,  without  a  reim- 
bursement, I  must  let  them  travel  as  well  as  they  can  for 
the  future.  I  paid  £4.10  last  fall,  for  a  man  and  horse, 
conducting  Indians  down  to  Philadelphia,  and  wrote  to  Mr. 
Peters  to  get  me  the  money,  but  he  sent  me  no  answer. 
I  look  upon  the  safety  of  these  Indians  of  some  consequence 
to  the  continent,  and  that  I  would  have  gone  myself,  and 
so  would  the  Sheriff,  down  to  Park's  with  them,  were  we 
not  engaged  to  send  off  at  six  o'clock,  A.  M.  on  Tuesday 
morning,  sixty  wagons  to  Colonel  Bouquet,  at  Carlisle,  which 
we  shall  be  a  little  puzzled  to  do,  as  drivers  are  very  scarce 
and  saucy,  since  the  late  enlistment. 


MA.JOR  SHirPEN  TO  COLONEL  BURD,  AT  FORT  AUGUSTA. 

Fhiladelphia,  May  31s^,  1758. 

Dear  Brother  : — I  have  been  to  Doctor  Gream's  place 
at  Horsham,  where  Mrs.  Young  show'd  me  a  letter  of  thanks 
from  the  Proprietary,  Mr.  T.  Penn,  to  Captain  Young,  for 
his  care  and  diligence,  &c.,  in  executing  the  duties  of  his 
station  as  Commissary  of  Musters  and  Pay  Master,  desiring 
him  also,  when  he  should  see  you,  to  pay  his  (the  Proprie- 
tary's) compliments  to  you,  and  his  hearty  thanks  for  your 
care  and  good  conduct  in  the  government  of  the  forces  under 
your  command  at  Fort  Augusta,  &c.  This  is  only  the  pur- 
port of  the  Proprietary's  letter ;  I   cannot  remember  his 


124 

■words,  nor  the  genteel  manner  of  his  expressions;  he  says 
he  shall  have  occasion  to  write  to  you  and  Colonel  Armstrong. 
Yesterday,  arrived  here  two  ships  from  New  York,  with 
ammunition  and  military  stores  for  our  expedition,  which 
we  were  fearful  would  he  taken  in  coming  round,  as  they 
sailed  without  a  convoy,  and  we  had  heard  that  several 
French  privateers  were  on  our  coast.  A  parcel  of  hlankets, 
arms,  cartridge  boxes,  &c.,  are  to  be  sent  up  by  the  com- 
missioners to  day  for  the  1st  and  2d  battalions,  Pennsylva- 
nia Regiment,  at  Carlisle.  Captain  Armstrong  sets  off,  too, 
with  the  horses  for  the  two  troops  of  Light  Horse. 

The  General  told  me  two  days  ago  to  get  myself  in  readi- 
ness to  go  out  of  town,  for  that  he  must  hurry  me  off  very 
soon.  I  know  not  when  I  shall  leave  town,  as  he  has  not 
said  anything  to  me  about  it  since.  The  Governor  intends 
to  go  up  himself  as  soon  as  it  is  possible. 

It  was  first  determined  to  divide  the  Pennsylvania  Troops 
into  four  battalions,  but  it  seems  probable  now  they  will 
consist  only  of  three;  this  matter  nor  the  number  of  field 
officers  is  not  yet  settled. 


CAPT.  PETER  BARD  TO  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  JAMES  BURD, 
AT    RAYSTOWN. 

Fort  Augusta,  July  20t7i,  1758. 

Dear  Sir  : — T  could  not  omit  this  opportunity  of  letting 
you  hear  from  me.  I  arrived  hear  the  20th  past,  in  company 
with  Captains  Eastbum  and  Jackson,  and  sixty-five  men, 


125 

being  a  detachment  from  each  of  their  companies  and  four 
officers,  and  found  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  men  in 
garrison,  the  leavings  of  the  battalion ;  some  dragging  their 
legs  after  them,  others  with  their  arms  in  slings,  several 
sick.  The  garrison  cuts  a  droll  figure  to  what  it  formerly 
did.  The  17th  instant  came  here  one  Captain  Montgomery 
with  sixty-two  men  to  relieve  Eastburn  and  Jackson's 
companies.  I  think  they  exceed  anything  of  men-kind  I 
ever  saw.  They  look  more  like  a  detachment  from  the  dead 
than  the  living.  I  would  have  given  five  pounds  to  have  had 
Hogarth  here  when  they  were  drawn  up  upon  the  parade,  to 
have  taken  them  off  that  I  might  have  had  the  pleasure  of 
giving  you  a  view  of  them.  Major  Shippen  wrote  to  the 
Captain,*  upon  some  complaint  of  the  inhabitants,  for  his  not 
going  in  quest  of  some  Indians  of  whom  they  had  discovered 
the  tracks.  It's  my  opinion  that  six  Indian  warriors  would 
have  scalped  them  all.  They  had  six  bullocks  in  charge  for 
this  garrison,  and  a  mile  from  Hunter's  they  lost  them  all, 
they  did  not  bring  one  to  the  fort.  This  day,  march  the 
Captains  Eastburn  and  Jackson  with  their  companies,  to 
join  you  and  forty  picked  men  of  your  battalion,  so  I  leave 
you  to  judge  what  a  blessed  corps  we  have  got  left.  Captain 
Trump  and  Ensign  Henry  are  all  of  the  old  oflicers  here. 
The  garden  is  the  only  thing  that  looks  like  itself,  and  that 
in  a  great  measure  has  lost  its  relish  with  me  for  want  of 
your  good  company.  I  saunter  in  it  now  and  then  like  a 
lost  sheep.  We  have  great  quantities  of  almost  everything 
that  is  good  in  it,  and  I  often  wish  you  and  the  gentlemen 
at  Ray.stown  could  partake  of  tliera.  Our  soldiers,  who 
have  their  share,  find  great  comfort  from  it.     I  believe  we 

•  Montgomery. 


12G 

shall  have  no  occasion  to  trouble  our  friends  next  year  for 
seeds,  I  shall  take  care  to  save  a  sufficient  quantity. 

Our  young  nursery  grows  charmingly.  I  can't  forbear 
smiling  as  I  am  walking  in  the  garden,  to  observe  the  great 
quantities  of  marigolds  you  have  planted,  there  is  enough  to 
make  sovip  for  your  whole  army. 

Jem  Cottes  and  his  brother,  two  Indians,  went  from  here 
some  time  since  hunting,  and  opposite  Captain  McKee's, 
they  being  on  an  island,  discovered  about  thirty  *Indian 
warriors  going  down  towards  the  inhabitants ;  upon  which 
they  made  the  best  of  their  way  to  the  fort,  and  informed 
Captain  Trump  that  evening,  he  sent  them  and  one  of  our 
men  down  in  a  canoe  to  acquaint  Lieutenant  Brodhead, 
whom  we  expect  up  with  the  party,  and  to  alarm  the  in- 
habitants ;  and  at  Hunter's,  Hambus  and  Jem  Cottes  quar- 
relled, and  the  former  killed  the  latter.  My  compliments 
to  the  gentlemen  in  general,  and  I  do  most  sincerely  wish 
you  all  the  success  your  heart  can  wish,  and  a  safe  return  to 
your  family  and  friends.  I  hope  I  shall  have  the  pleasure 
of  hearing  from  you. 


CII.  J.  SHirPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

PhilacJclpMa,  July  20(h,  1758. 

Honored  Sir  : — The  account  I  wrote  you  of  the  taking 
of  Ticonderoga,  proved  a  false  one.  It  proceeded  from  a 
letter  received  by  Townsend  White,  said  to  come  from  New 
York,  but  we  have  great  reason  to  believe  it  was  forged  in 


this  town.  We  have  since  heard  the  melancholy  news  of 
the  defeat  of  our  army,  owing,  as  it  is  generally  thought, 
to  the  rashness  of  our  troops,  animated  with  the  success 
they  had  on  landing.  They  expected  to  force  the  French 
entrenchments  sword  in  hand,  without  the  help  of  a  single 
cannon,  and  so  were  cut  to  pieces.  Three  times  over,  the 
brave  Highlanders  mounted  the  ramparts,  and  were  as  often 
repelled.  Our  whole  loss  amounts  to  about  1500  regulars 
and  500  provincials;  the  newspapers  make  the  number 
smaller,  I  suppose,  with  design.  The  army  is  returned  to 
Fort  William  Henry,  but,  it  is  said,  preparing  to  go  back 
and  renew  the  attack.  God  send  them  success.  Lord 
Howe  is  certainly  killed,  and  his  body  brought  to  Fort 
Edward.  Major  Rutherford  is  also  killed;  Major  FuUikcn 
is  said,  in  seme  letters,  to  be  killed ;  Cochran  and  Mather 
wounded.  Complete  lists  of  killed  and  wounded  are  not 
yet  come  to  hand. 

Our  affairs  at  Louisbourg  are  in  a  very  prosperous  way, 
and  we  arc  in  daily  expectation  of  hearing  of  the  reduction 
of  that  valuable  fortress. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  MAJOR  SIIIPPEN,  RAYSTOWN. 

Lancaster,  Saturday,  Aug.  5th,  1758. 

Dear  Son  :  —  Having  just  run  over  the  enclosed  papers, 
I  thought  I  could  not  begin  the  evening  more  agreeably, 
than  by  writing  you  a  line  or  two  on  the  present  situation 
of  affairs.    I  hope,  by  this  time,  Louisbourg  is  adorned  with 


128 

English  colors,  and,  if  so,  will  Mr.  Pitt  listen  to  the 
solicitations  of  the  English  merchants,  who,  for  want  of 
knowledge,  will  naturally  be  pressing  him  to  give  it  up,  in 
exchange  for  Port  Mahon?  The  loss  of  Port  Mahon,  I 
own,  is  great ;  but,  if  our  sea-officers  will  but  do  their  duty 
in  the  Mediterranean,  our  trade  will  not  be  much  affected 
by  its  remaining  in  the  hands  of  the  French.  But,  while 
the  island  of  Cape  Breton  remains  in  the  hands  of  the 
English,  the  French  not  only  lose  a  million  sterling  per 
annum  in  the  fish  trade,  but  must  be  forced  to  buy  it  of  us 
at  a  dear  price.  And  this  is  a  trifling  argument  to  what  fol- 
lows, for  if  the  French  can  get  the  island  into  their  hands 
again,  and  are  suffered  to  keep  it,  they  will,  one  day  or 
other,  be  able  to  drive  us  off  the  continent,  (which,  other- 
wise, they  can  never  do,)  and  this  will  give  them  a  power 
over  our  West  India  islands.  Pray  let  me  then  ask  the 
English  merchants  what  they  will  do  with  their  manu- 
factures, if  they  can't  find  markets  for  them  abroad? 
The  answer  is,  that  no  more  will  be  made ;  and  then  we 
may  say,  0  poor  England,  thou  must  soon  become  a  pro- 
vince of  France  !  to  say  no  worse  about  the  matter.  It  is 
now  England's  business,  it  is  her  only  resort  to  fight;  and, 
if  she  cannot  conquer,  it  will  not  be  her  fault — for  Cape 
Breton  must  never  be  ceded  again  to  France,  nor  must  we 
ever  make  a  peace  with  the  Grand  Monarque,  but  upon  our 
own  terms.  If  we  do  it  on  any  other  conditions,  it  must 
be  on  his  terms,  which  has  been  the  case  too  often 
already,  but  I  hope  will  never  be  the  case  again.  Did  not 
the  mighty  Marlborough  open  a  door  almost  into  Paris,  by 
his  grand  conquests ;  and  did  not  a  devilish  ministry  give 
up  everything  he  had  taken,  for  nothing,  at  the  treaty  of 


1-20 

Utrecht  iu  1713?  After  that,  the  French  king  was  iu  a 
better  situation,  than  he  was  before  that  war. 

As  to  our  late  shiughtcr  at  Ticonderoga,  I  could  think  of 
it  but  with  the  deepest  concern.  The  papers  say,  that  our 
General  intercepted  a  letter  from  the  IMarquis  de  IMontcalm, 
calling  back  3,000  men,  whom  he  had  sent  towards  the  Ger- 
man flats.  I  believe  there  was  such  a  letter,  and  that  the 
express  was  ordered  to  fall  in  our  way,  in  order  to  deceive 
us,  and  so  we  shall  find  it  will  turn  out, — for  that  general 
knew  some  weeks  beforehand,  of  our  design  against  Ticon- 
deroga, and  therefore  it  ought  not  be  once  imagined  that  he 
would  weaken  his  garrison  at  such  a  time,  upon  any  con- 
sideration in  the  world.  Besides,  if  the  story  could  be  sup- 
posed to  be  true,  that  they  had  that  number  of  men  to 
spare,  for  the  purpose  mentioned,  we  should  have  brought 
our  cannon  against  the  place,  as  we  had  an  army  of 
15,000 — a  certain  number  of  men  who  were  obliged  to 
invest  that  fortress,  containing  an  uncertain  number.  But  it 
is  easy  talking  about  matters  we  don't  understand;  how- 
ever, if  anything  I  here  say,  in  relation  to  the  affair,  should 
appear  to  you  ever  so  just,  yet,  me  dites  rien,  -because  it 
might  give  offence  to  some  gentleman  of  your  army,  for  as 
Cato  says  —  Nulli  facuisse  nocet,  nocet  esse  locutum.  Wc 
have  heard  nothing  of  General  Abereombie  this  week,  but 
it  is  thought  he  is  reinforced  by  this  time  with  three  or  four 
thousand  New  England  men.  As  soon  as  I  have  any  intel- 
ligence from  that  quarter,  or  Cape  Breton,  I  shall  write 
you  again. 

Your  brother,  who  left  us  yesterday  morning,  desired  me, 
when  I  wrote  again,  to  give  his  kind  love  to  you  and  Mr. 
Burd.     I  long  to  know  whether  Col.  Bouquet  has  resolved 


130 

to  try  for  a  road  towards  Lojal  Ilaunon  :  in  short,  I  shall 
remain  impatient,  till  I  hear  from  you  how  the  army  is  to 
march.  If,  therefore,  you  can  get  a  leisure  hour,  I  would 
desire  you  to  gratify  mc  in  this.  I  hope  your  wine  is  got  up 
safe  to  Kaystown.  It  is  accounted  not  only  by  physicians, 
but  by  other  experienced  persons,  the  most  wholesome  liquor 
(diluted  sometimes  with  water),  in  the  world.  Mr.  Allen 
has  put  Andrew  out  to  Mr.  Chew,  and  he  has  a  great  mind 
to  make  Jemmy  a  lawyer,  too.  He  has  spoke  to  your  brother 
about  it,  and  it  is  to  be  determined  when  he  and  his  wife 
return  from  Shrewsbury,  where,  I  am  sorry  to  tell  you,  she 
has  found  no  alteration  for  the  better.  I  am  really  afraid 
it  is  almost  over  with  that  most  valuable  lady.  Doctor 
Shippen  has  made  application  for  Jack,  (I  said,  as  to  this, 
we  all  know  the  turn  of  the  family,  and  especially  Jack's,) 
and  he  has  been  spoke  to  by  some  others, — but  I  advised 
him,  that,  as  much  as  he  stood  in  need  of  an  apprentice,  by 
all  means  to  wait  for  Col.  Allen's  determination.  Take  care 
of  your  health.  Be  not  poisoning  your  stomach  with  meat- 
suppers,  and  pray  press  my  doctrine  on  Mr.  Burd.  Your 
mammy  is  come  to  call  me  to  my  crust  of  bread,  and  gill 
of  wine  and  water  for  my  supper.  My  kind  love  to  you 
and  Mr.  Burd.     God  bless  you  both. 


i:;i 


A  (Jopj  of  the  Rates  and  Prices  fi>r  Hiithrs  Liij^nors  and 
Goods;  settled  at  Raystoxcn,  Aiujnst  iO th,  175S,  iy  order 
of  Col.  Bouquet,  Commandiny  Officer. 


o 

< 

s 
o 

a 
a 

•w  .2 

TRICES    AND    KATES.. 

^     CO 

a 

"3 

o 

tf 

o 

£7 

s. 

d. 

i;.,  s. 

017 

d. 

0 

£. 

1 

s. 

2 

d. 
0 

Madeira  Wine,  per  gallon, 

0 

10 

"o 

Vidonia,*               do 

0 

11 

0 

Oil 

0 

0 

12 

0 

West  India  Rum,  do 

0 

10 

0 

on 

G 

0 

13 

0 

Spirits,                   do                     -         - 

0 

12 

0 

013 

6 

0 

15 

0 

Slirubb,                  do                     -         - 

1 

7 

0 

no 

0 

1 

13 

0 

Shrubb  Puncli,  per  3  pints, 

0 

2 

3 

0   2 

3 

0 

3 

0 

Fruit         do               do 

0 

2 

3 

0   2 

3 

0 

3 

0 

Sangaree,                   do 

0 

2 

3 

0   2 

3 

0 

3 

0 

Wine,                          do 

0 

1 

3 

0   1 

6 

0 

1 

10 

Single  Fine  Sugar,  per  ft. 

0 

2 

0 

0   2 

3 

0 

2 

6 

Brown  Sugar,               do 

0 

1 

3 

0   1 

6 

0 

1 

9 

Hard  Soap,                   do              -         - 

0 

1 

4 

0   1 

7 

0 

1 

10 

Tamarinds,                   do              -         - 

0 

2 

0 

0   2 

3 

0 

2 

6 

Candles,                        do              -         - 

0 

1 

6 

0   1 

9 

0 

2 

0 

Shoes,  per  pair,         .         .         -         . 

0 

8 

0 

0   9 

0 

0 

10 

0 

English  Cheese,  per  lb.,     -         -         - 

0 

1    6 

0,  1 

9 

0 

2 

0 

Chocolate,                do        -        -        - 

0 

2 

6 

0   2 

10 

0 

3 

2 

Coffee,                       do         -         -         - 

0 

1 

0 

0   1 

11 

0 

2 

2 

Bohea  Tea,               do         -         -         - 

0 

12 

0 

013 

0 

0 

14 

0 

Writing  Paper,  per  quire. 

0 

21  0 

0   2 

-3 

0 

2 

6 

Mustard,  per  bottle,            .         -         - 

0 

1|  9 

0   2 

0 

0 

2 

3 

Pepper,  per  lb.. 

0 

5   0 

0   5 

6 

0 

6 

0 

Wine  Vinegar,  per  gallon, 

0 

10   0 

012 

0 

0 

15 

0 

Cider  Vinegar,     do                      -         - 

0 

3 

0 

0   4 

0 

0 

5 

0 

Salad  Oil,             do                     .-         - 

0 

5 

0 

0   6 

0 

0 

7 

0 

Indian  Blankets,  each,       ... 

1 

0 

0 

V  2 

6 

1 

5 

0 

Pigtail  Tobacco,  per  lb.,    - 

0 

1 

6 

0   1 

9 

0 

2 

0 

Leaf  Tobacco,          do         -         -         - 

0 

0 

9 

0    1 

0 

0 

1 

3 

Pricked  Tobacco,    do        -         -        - 

0 

0 

9 

0   1 

0 

0 

1 

3 

Butter,                      do         -         -         - 

0 

1 

3 

0   1 

6 

0 

2 

0 

Gammons,                 do         -         -         - 

0 

1 

1 

0   1 

3 

0 

1 

6 

Smoked  Beef,           do         -         -         - 

0 

1 

0 

Ol  1 

0 

0 

1 

2 

Dried  Meat  and  Tongues,  per  lb., 

0 

Ij  0 

o:  1 

3 

0 

1 

6 

American  Cheese,                     do 

0 

010 

0   1 

0 

0 

1 

3 

Whiskey,  per  gallon,          ... 

0 

5|  0 

0    6 

6 

0 

8 

0 

American  Rum,  per  gallon, 

0 

61  0 

0   6 

6 

0 

8 

0 

*  Vidonia  was  a  Spanish  wine,  something  like  Malaga. 


132 


A  Bally  Return  of  the  Second  Battalion  of  the  Pcnna. 


COMPANIES. 


Colonel  .Tarac'S  lUird, 

Lieut.  Col.  Lloyd,  - 

Lieut.  Col.  Work,  - 

Major  Shippen,  -  - 
Major  Jameson, 

Major  Orndt,      -  - 

Capt.  Bu.-!see,     -  - 

Capt.  llambright,  - 

Capt.  Morgan,    -  - 

Capt.  Weiser,      -  - 

Capt.  Clayton,    -  - 

Capt.  Haaelet.    -  - 
Capt.  Singleton, 

Capt.  Ilassler,    -  - 
Capt.  Eastbum, 


OFFICERS   PRESENT. 


COMMISSIONED. 


o  -;  ^   o  <:  3?  a; 


Ol  0 
0    0 

0  0 

1  0 
0  0 
0    0 

0  0 

o!  0 

01  1 
0  0 
0   0 


C    3 


ll  2    l!  .3    7  10;    2   1    1    1|  2  '2.5  11    2 


0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

ol 

0 

0 

«! 

0 

] 

o: 

0 

0 

o; 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

l: 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

o! 

0 

0 

0 

Orderly  Officer,  Ensign  Haller. 


OFFICERS  ABSENT, 
DRAWING   PROVISIONS. 

OFFICERS  ABSENT, 
NOT  DRAWING  PROVISIONS. 

.9 
"1 

1 
a 

S 
g 

3 

f 

1 

u 

i 

a 

3 

a 

-s 

1 

1 

1 

2 
§ 

a 
2 

1 

Total.             1            1 

12                '51 

Total. 
4 

6 

1 

loo 


Regiment,  Camp  at  Rays  lou-n,  Avgiist  19f7i,  1758. 


EFFECTIVE  RANK  AND  FILE. 

1                    1 

SIKCE  LAST 

ON 

] 

Ken 

RETOEN.                JOINED. 

COMMAND. 

i 

1 

i 

I 

•3 

1 

> 

t 

A 

b 

2>. 

3 

o 

a 

P. 

E 

5 

a 

P 
0 

.a 

a 
o 

z 

bo 

a 

1 

O 

o 

< 
•a 

i 

1 

a 
1 

a 

2 

o 

1 

a 

o 

a; 

o 

1 
S 

i 

?  a 

)-3 
O 

5 

g 

a 
s 

9 

•a 
it 

1 

s 

-§ 

t 

.1 

1 

J3 

1 

i 

1 

s 

3 

§ 

a 

d 

o 

S 
o 

d 
1 

u 

O 

0 
o 

P^ 

■A 

ai  1 

w 

!?5 

< 

-1 

hJ 

"' 

n  L 

J  o 

H 

IB 

o 

» 

K 

Q 

p 

fi 

fi 

u 

x 

K 

8 

9 

^i 

18 

31 

4 

0 

0 

0 

45: 

0 

5 

1 

17 

11 

1 

1 

13 

12: 

3 

1 

0 

I 

45 

0 

5 

0 

36 

10 

2 

0 

9 

10 

1 

0 

0 

1 

35 

0 

16 

26 

9 

4 

2 

20 

2 

3 

2 

0 

1 

45, 

0 

6 

46 

6 

2 

0 

6 

14 

4 

0 

0 

1 

35, 

0 

15 

26 

13 

1 

0 

10 

21 

2 

0 

1 

1 

51 

0 

0 

33 

13 

U 

0 

14 

7 

f 

3 

1 

1 

44 

0 

5 

42 

12 

1 

0 

10 

1 

6 

fi 

0 

1 

391 

0 

11 

43 

4 

6 

0 

12 

7 

3 

1 

0 

) 

34 

0 

17 

31 

13 

1 

A 

18 

1 

7 

3 

1 

1 

47, 

0 

2 

52 

6 

3 

0 

15 

« 

0 

1 

0 

1 

.39 

0 

11 

37 

11 

4 

» 

11 

11 

7 

0 

3 

1 

50 

0 

0 

42 

17 

6 

0 

4 

9 

8 

1 

2 

1 

50 

0 

0 

46 

13 

2 

oi 

15 

5 

f. 

0 

3 

1 

1 

48 

1 

2 

35 

12 

2 

0 

4 

22 

6 

0 

0 

1 

1 

49 

0 

1 

34 

160 

44 

3 

179   134 

64 

18 

11 

14 

161 

3 

656 

1 

1 

96 

580 

Officers  absent,  drawing  Provisions, 
Sergeants  absent,  drawing  Provisions, 


597 


JACOB  KERN, 

Adjutant. 


134 


CHIEF  JUSTICE  SIIIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

PhihKh'Jplua  Angust  2^th,  1758. 

Hon.  Sir: — We  have  at  last  received  the  joyful  news  of 
the  surrender  of  Louisbourg,  which,  with  the  account  of  the 
Duke  of  Marlborough's  destroying  such  a  number  of  French 
ships  in  the  harbor  of  St.  Maloes,  has  given  this  town  great 
spirits.  An  application  to  the  Assembly  for  barracks  would 
be  a  vain  thing.  In  the  first  place,  they  have  no  money  to 
dispose  of,  and  in  the  next,  they  would  tell  you  Lancaster  is 
no  more  burthened  than  the  other  towns  in  the  province,  in 
proportion  to  its  size.  And  if  you  should  have  barracks  it  is 
a  question  whether  you  would  be  relieved,  for  a  commanding 
officer  might  think  Lancaster  the  most  proper  place  to 
quarter  a  number  of  men,  and  after  filling  the  ban-acks, 
might  put  as  many  men  on  the  tavern  keepers  as  they  could 
conveniently  take;  so  that  in  fact,  barracks  in  Lancaster, 
might  turn  out  only  a  relief  to  some  other  smaller  towns, 
not  so  conveniently  situated  for  quartering  soldiers. 

If,  notwithstanding,  the  people  will  petition  the  Assembly, 
they  had  better  get  Johnny  Mather  or  George  Ross  to  draw 
their  petition,  than  I,  who  am  not  sufficiently  acquainted  with 
the  nature  of  the  distress  they  would  complain  of.  The 
numerous  petitions  against  William  Moore  for  mal-adminis- 
ti'ation  as  a  justice  of  peace,  are  now  under  examination 
before  the  Governor  and  Council  at  the  state  house.  I 
understand  they  have  gone  through  five  already,  all  which 
turn  out  most  villainously  vicious. 


135 


RICHARD   PETERS,  (SECRETARY,)    TO    EDWARD   SHirPEN,  AT 
LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  August  2\th,  1758. 
Sir  : — The  Governor,  on  examining  his  cash,  received 
with  his  list  of  tavern  licenses,  finds  that  he  has  only  received 
for  sixty,  whereas  by  the  list  there  are  eighty-four ;  there- 
fore desires  you  will  send  him  the  names  of  the  delinquents, 
that  they  may  be  prosecuted,  and  in  the  mean  time,  that 
you  would  not  give  out  licenses,  till  they  have  paid  their 
arrears.  Mr.  Morse  gave  me  a  list  of  delinquents,  but  it  is 
some  how  mislaid,  so  please  to  order  him  to  make  out  a 
new  one.  But  the  Governor,  who  is  responsible  for  each, 
every  year  finds  great  fault  that  the  townships,  where  people 
live,  are  not  mentioned  in  the  list.  Pray  send  me  by  the 
next  post  a  complete  list,  with  townships,  and  keep  the 
people  up  to  their  pay  within  the  first  quarters.  If  two  or 
three  examples  were  made,  it  would  be  better  for  you  and 
the  Governor.  He  is  really  angry,  and  I  give  you  this 
information  without  his  knowing  it,  that  you  may  write  to 
him  on  the  subject. 


136 


Field  Return  of  the  Second  Division,  First  .Batfalio?i,  of 
the  Royal  American  Regiment ;  in  Camp,  on  the  March, 
August  24th,  1758. 


H 

a 
Pi 

03 

M 

g 

n 

RANK  AND  FILE. 

COMPANIES. 

d 
o 

(» 

3 

o 

c 

CO 

2 
2 
2 
2 
8 

2 
2 
2 
2 
8 

"S 

Ph 

81 
80 
81 
83 
325 

eS 
qj 
25 
-u 

Cj 

o 

j» 

«s 
a; 

0 

1 

2 

5 
8 

3 

"a. 

ai 
o 

c 

0) 

.Q 
«< 

J4 
u 

CC 

7 
4 
7 
5 
23 

o 

PI? 

«3 

jW 
Cl> 

;-> 
<i> 
o 

<1 
1 
0 
2 
0 
3 

J3 
!* 

P 
O 

s 

13 

o 

8 
0 
0 
1 
4 

"3 

o 

92 
85 
92 
94 
363 

Col.  Henry  Bouquet's,     -     - 

3 
4 

1 

0 

4 
1 

.s 

'5 

OS 

Ralph  Harding's,       -     - 

Frans.  Lander's,  -     -     - 

3 

1 

4 

Thos.  Jocelyn's,    -     -     - 

4 

0 

4 

Totals, 

14 

2 

16 

RUDOLPH  BENTINCK, 

Adjutant. 


137 


A  Field  Return  of  the  Maryland  Forces  encamped  near  Rcas  Town, 
August  the  26<A,  1758. 


OFFICERS 

EFFECTIVE  RANK  AND    1 

°*'^  1        1 

PRESENT. 

FILE.                    1 

COM- 

& 

li 

OK 

.S2s 

MIS- 

t- 

It 

COM- 

^§2 

^ 

MAND. 

82 

3    S 

t 

1 

^ 

*  1 1:5 

o 

COMPANIES. 

Q 

c. 

•-      ~   ■^  ,'0 

a' 

s 

s 

f 

1 

a 
d 

3 

1 

g 

2 

e 

u 

b 
« 

c 

1  -I'i 

u 

3    c 

|i 

a 
o 

a 
1 

1 

1 

00 

1 

* 

1 

45 

m 

1   m  0  0 

0 

0 

0  -^    0  n 

x 

US 

si 

Captain  Dagworthys,       -     -     - 

19     3 

Do      Aluxander  Beall's,*    • 

0 

1 

1 

(1 

1 

u 

% 

0    63    0    0 

u 

0 

■I    71 

1 II 

.'0     -i 

7« 

Do      Joshua  Bcalls,*     -    - 

0 

0 

I 

0 

1 

0 

» 

5 

0    48    0    1 

IP 

0 

0    ftt  1 

1:  0 

.'H      2 

fifi 

Do      Ware's, 

1 

•1 

0 
3 

0 

1 

3 
9 

1 

56 

2 
9 

0  1'^  o;  n 

"t 

0 

0    70 

1    0 

n    3 

80 
306 

Total. 

■I 

5 

■i\ 

116 

1  147    0 

ll 

0' 

0 

^s  \ 

0 

Officers  absent,  drawing  here,  - 
SerjuaDts  absent,  drawiug  here, 
JDruuimers, 


JNO.  DAGWORTHY. 


OFFICERS  OX  COMMAND. 

DRAWING  >ROVISIONS  HERB. 

KOT  DRAWING  HERE. 

NON 

NON 

C  O  M  M  I  8- 

0  O  M  M  I  S  ■ 

C  0  M  M  I  S- 

COMMIS- 

BIIINKD. 

SIONKl). 

SIO.NKD. 

SIONED. 

^■ 

■i 

» 

• 

a 

s 

2 

5    !  -J 

3 

a 

a 

hi 

?. 

•:3 

M) 

i      1     f^ 

2 

■^ 

S. 

a 

o 

o 

OQ 

ce 

O      '     H 

o 

m 

oc 

a 

2 

4 

■^ 

2          13 

0 

0 

1 

0 

1 

*  These  Captains  Reall  were  the  grandsons.  I  bpliere,  of  Col.  Ninian  T?oalI.  for 
whu.-ie  HcrviocB  against  tlie  Indians,  -^  An  Act  of  Griilitwle''  w;i.v  pas-scd  by  tlie  Ma- 
rj'land  AF.<?cmbly.  (Jiacun's  Imws  of  Maryland.)  Tlie  "  gratitude"  was  nfit  con- 
fined to  mere  words,  but  '  material'  proofs  of  the  ostcem  of  the  Legislature  were 
(riven,  in  addition  to  others  previously  be.stowed  His  services  certainly  deserved 
high  con.sideration.  The  def.'at  of  '  tht;  Susquehannocks"  by  him,  was  the  blow 
which  broke  their  power.  (Lewis  £vans'  Meddle  British  Cohnics.  I'hil'a.  17.')0 . 
pp.  12-14,  2d  Ld.) 


138 


A  Field  Return  of  the  Maryland  Forces,  Encamped  near  Reas  Town, 
Sept.  nth,  1758. 


OFFICERS 
PEESENT. 

1 

EFFECTIVE   BANK  AND  FILE. 

C  O  M  M  I S  - 

< 

a 

o  S 

ON 
MAND. 

WANTING  TO 
COMPLETE 
THE  ESTAB- 
LISHMENT. 

COMPANIES. 

a 

a 

3 

a 
O 

3 
J 

1 

1 

3 

1 
1 

2 

1 
3 

a 
a 
2 

p 
a 

2 
2 
2 

1 

7 

SICK. 

§ 

*> 

£ 

1 

Q 

63 
69 
57 
62 

2 

1 

■< 

Eh 
O 
E- 

~68 
71 
63 
68 

i 

a 

E 

a 
m 

1 

I 

2 

Q 

§ 

20 
28 
23 

94 

a 

a 

2 
2 
2 
4 

« 

72 
73 
62 
67 

274 

a 
5 

1 
1 

1 

"S. 

o 

S 

£ 

2 

3 

4 

9 

1 
p. 

n 

a 
a 

.a 
->: 

1 
1 

Lieut.  Col.  Dagworthy's,  • 
Captain  Alexander  Beall's, 
Captain  Joshua  BeaU's,    - 
Captain  Ware's,    .... 

Total, 

1 

270 

N.  B.— The  three  Sergeants  sick. 


Officers  on  command  and  drawing  Rations  here, 

Sergeants,  •        -  

Drummers,       --..-;.. 


WiM.  LINN. 


OFFICERS    ON    COMMAND. 

RANK 
FILE 

AND 
ON 

DRAWING  PEOVISION3  UEOS. 

not  DBAWING  HEBE 

COMMAND.    1 

SIONED. 

comm'nd. 

SIONED. 

commiss'd. 

i 

1 

•s 

a 
O 

J 

a 

i 

a 

a 

a 

a 

i 

2 

a 

j=  a 

O 

•< 

9 

a 

A 

a 

O 

a 

a, 

5 

i* 

a 

3 

o 

O 

£ 

o 

.J 

6 

tn 

m 

Q 

B 

? 

O 

03 

tn 

o 

H 

© 

6- 

1 

3 

12 

12 

4 

31 

1 

210 

41 

■2oI 

139 


List  of  Officers  and  Soldiers  Killed,   Missing,   and  Returned  from  the 
action  near  Fort  Duqiiesne,  September  14<A,  1758. 


DIFFERENT 
TROOPS. 

KILLLED  OR  MISSING. 

RE  TURNED. 

El 

OFVICEBS. 

■i^4 

OFFICERS. 

Royal  Americans,-; 

Highlanders, 

f 

! 

1st  Virginia  Eeg't,. 

Carolinians,     -    • 

Marylanders,   -    - 

Lower  Counties  of  t 
Pennsylvania,      j 

2d  liattalion  of     > 
Pennsjlvauians,   5 

Lieut.  Billings, 
Lieut.  Ryders, 
Knsign  Klior. 
Ensign  Jcnitins, 

Major  Grant, 
Captain  Munro, 
Captain  A.  MctCenzie, 
Captain  McDonald, 
Lt.  Alex.  McKenzie, 
Lieut.  Colin  Campbell, 
Lieut.  Wm.  McKenzie. 
Lieut.  Rodk  McKenzie, 
Lieut.  Alex.  McDonald, 
Ensign  Jotin  McDonald, 

Major  Lewis, 
Lieut.  Baker, 
Lieut.  Campbell, 
Knsign  Allen, 
Ensign  Cl)ew, 
Ensign  Guest, 

Lieut.  McCrca,    - 
Ensign  Holler,     • 

35 
131 

61 
4 

•n 

2 

18 

Captain  Lander, 
Lieut.  Bentinck. 

Lt.  Archd  Robinson, 
Lieut.  Hen.  Mann. 
Ensign  Alex.  Grant. 
Lieut.  McDonald. 
Surgeon  McDnnit,  • 
Surgeon  Harriss,    • 

Capt.  Walter  Stuart, 
Captain  Bullitt. 

Captain  Ware, 
Lieut.  Ripley. 
Ensign  Harrison,    - 

Captain  Clayton,    • 
Lieut.  Hayes. 
Lieut.  Kenolds. 

70 
162 

103 

7 
i6 

12 
85 

3 
24 

2 

2 
4 

5 

Wounded. 
Wounded. 

Wounded. 
Wounded. 

i 

■278 

«3    40 

140 


^ 


I    « 


to: 


•2^ 


's^ 


suo,,«a     1     1 

-i' 

•aamojtt  |  «  j  "     «  | "»  |  S 

5   i 

3I!,I  pn«  unsH  |  «"  |  3  |  g  |       |  ? 

•sjarauinja         l"  \              ]" 

•s?aB3aj3g  1       1       1       1       1 

J 

z, 
» 

> 
m 

•T  V  i  0  1 

g 

s 

s 

i 

S 

•n8K  -n^H  1  ""  1  '"  1  "  1       1  " 

•aarajoioo  |  „  1  ^  1  rn  1       1  m 
dmv,c       1       1       1       1       1 

•naH  u«a  1  '^  1  "  1  '^  1       1  " 

E 

C 

aamuja 

10  M 

•sjaq 
saoiisa 

o 

s 

2 

s 

? 

•pn^q^aa    |.|»|„|       |, 

•rr^hhhhl" 

•drai!0  ni  1  "  1  ^  1  «  1  =■•  1  g 

jojiB'»a3S9aa 

j: 

s 

ip 

2 

i 

o 

1 

z  -  z' 

Z  S  E 

•saararania 

- 

- 

- 

•*      Oi 

•BjmiaSias 

■^ 

« 

" 

1 
1 

•saSisng 

- 

- 

•sinBuojnan 

" 

=^ 

-^ 

.-•     e 

•saiEidBO 

- 

- 

- 

COMPANIES. 

a 
< 

"5 

1 

c 

a. 

• 

c 

k 

W 
o 


>i 

0} 

o 

H 

<s 

t; 

^ii 

01 

B 

K 
IS 
tt 

>3 
< 

^2 

"1 

fHiH 

^^ 

^ 

< 

J2    £ 

»H 

- 

1 

< 

d 

2; 

«: 

.  .  •  • 

a 

s 

-  ■  •  ■ 

M 

u 

Ss 

Ir, 

<! 

J 

o 

rL< 

H-g  .- 

o 

e3  2  ?    ' 

5 

o 

^Isi 

F- 

mKOo 

5       1 

S-QO-S 

a     c 



141 


A  Daili/  Return  of  the  Lower  County  Companies,  Com- 
manded hy  Major  Wells,  encamped  near  Reas  Town, 
Sept.  nth,  1758. 


OFFICERS  PRESENT. 

RANK 
AND  FILE. 

COMMIS- 

SIONED, 

STAFF. 

?  ^ 

COMPANIES. 

K  s 

£ 

to 

O 

"c? 

.s 

a 
a 

0) 

3 

c 

fcJD 
'35 

c 

CD 

C 

0 

to 

a 

<1 
0 
0 

CO 

a; 
u 
ci 



0 

X 

a 
o 

s 

CO 

1 

0 

to 

s 

0 
0 

to 

d 
es 

o 

2 
0 

CO 
(h 

a 
s 
g 

Q 
1 
0 

a 

8 
0 

9 
4 

-a 
c 

eS 

a 
a 

o 

'•J 

a 
O 

17 
3 

< 
H 
O 
H 

34 

7 

Major  Wells',    -     -     - 

1 

0 

0 
0 

1 

0 

Capt.  M'Clughan's,     - 

0 

0 

Capt.  Gooding's,     -     - 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 

1 

0 
0 

0 
2 

0 

1 

'3 
11 

5 

18 

13 
33 

21 
62 

Total,     -     -     -     - 

1 

0 

0 

2 

RICH'D  WELLS, 

3Iajor. 


142 


!1J 


Si 


.S    00 


feil-t 

s 

^ 

hC! 

s'" 

fM 

'^ 

T— 1 

?^ 

f>* 

■« 

s 

« 

lil 

^ 

C^ 

■>< 

'^f 

a 

s 

g 

_ 

^ 

k< 

"» 

^ 

g 

ft:; 


1 

..  James  Duncanson,  wounded. 

,.  Thos.  Prater,  killed  ;  Ens.  Bell,  wounded ; 
[Lt.  Matthews,  missing. 

•SHaNOOVAi 

yA      h^ 

CO 

Co 
O 

BANK 
AND 
FILE. 

•3uiSStI\[   |OOMOj-;t)i,h     |05 

•papnnoAV  |-^'*'OOtx,-,o    |vo 

•painal-^^^^-^  12 

NON 
COMMIS- 
SIONED. 

•SniSSIIM      OOOrnr-iOO     1^ 

•papunoAV     '=>-"=oooo    |^ 

•panra    ^^o  =  ^^^  |o 

COMMIS- 
SIONED. 

•SutssiiV     '='®Or^ooo   i-H 

■papnnoAJ,     0.-.0.-1000    |(m 

•p9in3     000^000 

i-i 

M 

Highland, - 

North  Carolina,  -     -     -     - 
Maryland,       .     -     -     -     - 
1st  Pennsylvania  Battalion, 
Lower  Counties,  -    -     -    - 
2d  Pennsylvania  Battalion, 

3 
0 

J!=L      ^ 


^  < 


fCl 


143 

COL.    BOUQUET   TO   COL.   JAMES   BURD. 

Stonij  Creek,  Oetoher  12th,  1758. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  deferred  answering  your  several  letters, 
in  expectation  of  joining  you  every  day.  The  rains,  broken 
roads,  and  several  other  contingent  causes,  have  kept  me 
back.  To-morrow  I  hope  to  dine  with  you ;  but  don't  re- 
tard your  dinner  for  me.  The  Laurel  being  impassable,  I 
sent  Captains  Callender  and  Shelby  to  look  for  another 
ascent,  and  they  have  had  the  good  luck  to  find  one  greatly 
preferable.  We  cut  quite  a  new  road  from  this  post  to  the 
top  of  Laurel  Hill,  which  will  be  four  miles  shorter,  and 
eight  miles  better.  I  set  out  this  moment  to  reconnoitre, 
and  shall  encamp  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  to  have  sufficient 
time  to  view  it  to-morrow  morning  (nothing  out  even  in  the 
night)  upon  pack-hprses,  with  two-inch  augers,  one-inch 
chisel,  and  another  two  inches,  and  one  handsaw,  to  build  a 
bridge  over  Queenatong  Creek.  Your  horse-driver  will  find 
at  the  top  of  the  hill  a  branch  cut  across  the  road,  and  the 
blazes  at  his  right  hand,  which  blazes  he  is  to  follow  to  the 
foot  of  the  mountain,  where  he  will  see  an  encampment  and 
deliver  his  tools.  The  second  division  of  the  artillery  will 
stay  here  until  the  new  road  is  cut,  and  the  last  division  set 
out  from  Reastown,  to  say  which  fifty  wagons.  I  beg  you 
will  get  an  exact  return  ready  of  all  the  troops  on  the  west 
of  the  Laurel  Hill,  that  we  may  make  the  necessary  dispo- 
sitions to  move  immediately  forward.  I  am  impatient  to 
see  you.  My  compliments  to  Capt.  Gordon  and  friends.  I 
hope  the  General's  hut  is  ready,  as  he  will  soon  be  with  us. 
He  mends  apace. 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  humble  servant, 

HENRY  BOUQUET. 


144 

Room  must  be  made  and  ground  cleared  for  the  fifty 
wagons  of  the  artillery. 

If  you  have  no  falling  axes  well  ground,  or  no  time  to 
grind  them,  pray  let  it  be  done  to-morrow  morning.  As 
we  have  no  grindstone,  the  work  would  not  go  on. 

H.  B. 


HARRY  GORDON  TO  LIEUT.  COL.  JAMES  BURD. 

Loyal  Hannon,  October  14</t,  1758. 

Sir: — The  following  is  what  happened  between  the 
French  prisoner,  who  was  brought  in  wounded,  and  who 
made  the  answers  to  the  following  questions,  put  down  in 
the  same  words : 

Q.  Quelle  force  aviez  vous  aujourdhui,  que  nous  at- 
taquoit. 

H.  Nous  etions  mille  Hommes. 

Q.  Outre  Les  Sauvages. 

R.  Non  :  entre  huit  et  neuf  cens  Francois  et  le  reste  des 
Sauvages. 

Q.  Et  quelle  etoit  votre  dessein  et  comment  et  ce  que 
vous  avez  osez  nous  attaquer  dans  les  Retrenchmens  ? 

Le  prisonier  me  disoit  que  au  commencement  je  lui  avois 
promis  de  ne  lui  pas  demander  beaucoup  des  questions  et  que 
il  lui  falloit  du  temps  pour  me  repondre.  Te  I'assurois  que 
ce  n'etoit  que  un  seul  question  de  plus,  et  seulement  pour 
voir  si  ce  qu'il  diroit,  s'accordoit  avec  les  reponses  des  autres 
prisoniers  que  nous  avions  fait,  que  j'avois  dit  au  commence- 
ment aussi. 

The  answer  was  to  the  last  question  in  these  words,  as  fol- 
lows : 

Que  leur  dessunetoit  d'attaquer  toutes  nos  gardes  avances 
et  de  les  survive  s'ils  pourroient  dans  les  retrenchmens. 


145 

The  above  arc  the  words  that  happened  between  the  said 
prisoner  and  myself,  which  upon  account  of  the  ingenuity, 
I  have  put  in  the  same  words  as  they  were  pronounced. 

HARRY  GORDON. 

To  Colonel  Burd, 

Commanding  at  Loyal  Hannon. 


COL.    HENRY    BOUQUET    TO    LIEUT.    COL.    JAMES    BURD,   AT 
LOYAL   HANNON. 

Sioncy  Creek,  October  \Q>th,  1758. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  received  yesterday  morning  your  last  of 
the  14th,  and  transmitted  to  the  General  all  the  intelligence 
you  sent  me.  I  am  very  sorry  you  could  not  make  a  pri- 
soner. I  suppose  you  have  ordered  some  parties  out  to 
endeavor  to  get  some  straggler.  I  don't  believe  a  word  of 
their  pretended  reinforcement  in  provisions  and  men,  but  to 
know  the  truth,  be  pleased  to  send  two  small  parties  to  spy 
on  the  opposite  sides  of  Monongahela  and  Ohio,  if  there  are 
more  batteaux  than  before. 

The  General  desires  that  all  the  parties  sent  out  do  recon- 
noitre the  country  betwixt  the  old  path  and  Braddock's 
road,  to  know  where  we  could  full  in  said  road.  The  path 
discovered  by  Captain  Funk  seems  to  be  the  best,  but  as  ho 
could  not  go  to  the  end  of  it,  there  is  little  depending 
upon  it. 

Col.  Washington  will  be  here  this  day  with  the  rest  of 
his  regiment.  The  new  road  will  be  cut  in  three  days  (if 
good  weather)  to  the  top  of  the  Laurel.  All  our  wagons, 
provisions,  &c.,  are  coming  up,  and  nothing  I  hope  will  pre- 
vent our  marching  forward  immediately.  The  General 
grows  better  and  better;  he  has  fired  a/e«  dejoie  for  your 

G 


146 

affair.  The  Little  Carpenter  is  there,  witli  thirty  Chero- 
kees  and  thirty  Catawbas.  King  Heglcr  is  expected  every 
day,  and  the  General  hopes  to  engage  them  to  come  up  with 
us.  The  news  of  the  King  of  Prussia  beating  Marshal 
Davon,  is  confirmed  by  all  the  vessels.  I  have  forwarded 
all  your  letters.  As  soon  as  I  can,  I  shall  be  with  you. 
I  am,  Dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  serv't, 

HENRY  BOUQUET. 


A  Daily  Return  of  the  Virginia  Regiment  Encamped  at 
Loyal  Hannon,  under  the  Command  of  Col.  Washington, 
Octoher  2l5«,  1758. 


COMPANIES. 

OFFICERS  PRESENT, 

EFFECTIVE  RANK 

SINCE 

LAST 

RETURN. 

COMMieSIONED. 

^ 
■< 

H 

NON 
COMMIS- 
SIONED. 

AND  FILE. 

_o 

o 

1 

0 
0 
0 
0 

o 

a 
1 
1 

s 

01 

0 
1 
0 
0 
0 

i 

0 
0 
0 

'd. 

c 

o3 
'■J 

1 

0 
0 

1 

a 

1 

2 
2 

s 

SI 
1 
0 

1 

a 

ho 
u 
3 

1 

0 

0 

3 
1 

0 
0 

1 

3 
"2 

1 
1 

0 

S 

a 

3 

e 
1 

1 

0 

i 

24 

a 
1 

M 

CO 

11 

7 

•6 

CO 

.g 
'S 

£3 

cS 

a 
a 
5 

a 

o 

12 

■< 

16 

d 

a 

o 

5 

o. 

a 

6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
36 

78 
72 
80 
76 
81 
76 
46l| 

o 

1 

1 

1 

1 

a 

Col.  Washington's, 

Lt.  Col.  Stephen's, 

36 

29 

3 
14 

6 
8 

14 
16 

7 
7 

Maj.  Lewis's,    -    - 

0 
0 

0 

1 

2 
1 

0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
1 

0 
0 
0 

1 

2 

3 

1 

1 

0 

1 

2 
2 

2 
8 

33 
30 
33 

185 

6 
11 

9 
54 

6 
11 
2 

17 
18 

8 
8 
8 
54 

Capt.  Bullitt's,     - 

0 

1 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 
2 

1 

9 

0 

Total,     -    -    - 

16' 

4 

40 

92 

G-.  WASHINGTON, 

Colonel. 


147 


Wanting  Necessaries  to  Equip  each  Man  for  the  March,  in 
the  2d  Division,  1st  Battalion,  of  the  Royal  American 
Regiment,  Loyal  Ilannon,  October  25th,  1758. 


COMTANIES. 

1 

fcD 

g 
',2 

u 

o 

2 

o 

c 
H 
u 
o 

i5 

o 

■     M 

a 
20 

to 
a> 
"o 
■^ 

a 

12 

o5 
3 

Colonel  Henry  Bouquet, 

•20 

24 

6 

54 

. 

a 

Ralph  Harding,      -     -     - 

19 

35 

5 

18 

16 

7 
4 

2 

0 

Francis  Lander,     -     -     - 

6 

40 

19 

48 

17 

Thos.  Jocclyn,  -     -     -     - 

3 

21 

12 

24 

14 

67 

14 
37 

0 

7 

Total, 

48 

120 

42 

144 

K.  HAEDINa. 


A  Return  of  the  Maryland  Troops  wider  the  Command  of 
Lt.  Col.  Dagivorthy,  Wanting  Necessaries,  at  Loycd 
Ilannon,  Oct.  25th,  1758. 

The  Whole  Avants  Blankets,  but  they  are  sent  for. 
The  Whole  wants  Clothes,  but  they  are  maldng. 

JNO.  DAG  WORTHY, 

Lt.   Col.  Maryland  Forces. 


148 

GENERAL   FORBES   TO   COLONEL  BURD. 

New  Cam  I'),  20  miles  west  of  Loyal  Ilannon, 
November  Idth,  1758, 

Sir  : —  astonished  and  amazed  upon 

and  villainous  desertion  of 
of  the  methods  he  had  used 
from  our  assistance  at  so  very 
He  has  often  told  us  in  public 
that  his  nation  were  going  to  make  war  against  the  Virgi- 
nians and  His  Majesty's  subjects.  I  therefore  thought  him 
a  good  pledge  in  our  hands  to  prevent  that,  and  consequently 
the  whole  of  them  were  indulged  in  every  extravagant, 
avaricious  demand  they  made ;  but  seeing  that  those  who 
have  thus  deserted  and  abandoned  us,  with  all  the  aggrava- 
ting circumstances  attending  their  desertion,  now  preludes 
to  what  we  may  expect  from  them.  I  therefore  desire, 
that  upon  receipt  of  this,  you  will  instantly  dispatch  an 
express  to  the  commanding  officer  at  Raystown,  who  is  to 
send  one  to  Winchester  and  Fort  Cumberland,  in  case  that 
he,  the  Carpenter*  and  his  followers,  should  have  already  past 
Raystown,  and  notice  ought  to  be  sent  to  Fort  Loudon 
likewise  with  my  orders,  which  are  that  having  under  the 
cloak  of  friendship  robbed  us  these  several  months,  but 
now  having  discovered  themselves  our  private  enemies,  and 
having  turned  the  arms,  put  in  their  hands  by  us,  against 
his  Majesty's  subjects,  which  the  former  parties  have 
already  done,  that,  therefore  prudence  and  self  preservation 
obliged  us,  to  require  of  them  the  returning  of  their  arms 
and  ammunition  directly,  as  likewise  the  horses  that  were 
furnished   them  to  accompany  us  to  war ;    that  as   their 

*The  Cherokee  Chief. 


149 

blankets,  shirts,  silver  truck,  &c.,  are  not  of  that  consc- 
quenco,  therefore  the  peremptory  stripping  of  thcni  need  not 
I  insist  upon  the  inhabitants 
Chester  making  them 
and  horses,  which  is  but 
fellow  subjects  of  the  parts  of  Virginia 
borough,  where  no  doubt  they  would  commit  all  sorts  of 
outrage,   so  that  it  will  be  necessary  to  send  a  suflScicnt 
escort  along  with  them,  allowing  of  them  a  sufficiency  of 
provisions  and  no  more,  so  that  the  Cherokee  nation  may 
see  plainly  they  will  have  nothing  to  complain  of  but  the 
baseness  and  perfidy  of  those,  whom  they  have  sent  amongst 
us  as  friends  for  these  seven  months  past.     The  garrison  of 
Fort  Cumberland  is  strong  enough  to  compel  them  to  deliver 
up  their  arms,  so  let  a  copy  of  this  my  letter  be  sent  to  the 
commanding  officer,  who  is  to  make  use  of  all  the  fair  means 
in  his  power  before  he   takes  their  arms  from  them.    At 
Raystown  they  are  to  do  the  same. 

But  as  the  garrison  of  Fort  Loudon  is  perhaps  too  weak 
either  to  refuse  them  their  presents,  or  make  them  deliver 
up  their  arms,  I  desire,  therefore,  that  in  case  they  take 
that  way,  that  Major  Wells  marches  directly  himself  with  a 
sufficient  force  from  Raystown  to  Fort  Loudon  to  execute 
this,  which  you  and  all  concerned,  are  always  first  to  try  by 
gentle  methods,  before  that  rougher  ones  be  made  use  of; 
as  it  is  impossible  any  of  your  garrison  can  overtake  them 
before  they  reach  Raystown,  I  therefore  desire  no  time 
may  be  lost  in  sending  copies  of  ray  letter  and  directions  to 
Raystown,  to  be  forthwith  transmitted  by  expresses  to  Fort 
Loudon,   Cumberland  and   Winchester.  *         *         * 

Mr.  Smith  the  interpreter  ought  to  be  sent  after  them  to 
serve  to  explain  matters,  and  to  prevent  as  far  as  can  be,  the 


150 

bad  consequences  of  their  going  home  through  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina,  armed,  for  which  purpose  this  letter  is  wrote, 
as  Virginia  has  always  suifered. 

I  am,  sir. 
Your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JNO.  FORBES. 


CHIEF   JUSTICE   SHIPPEN   TO    HIS   FATHER,   AT   LANCASTER. 

Philadelpliia,  December  Wth,  1758. 

Honored  Sir: — Your  account  of  our  army  getting 
possession  of  Fort  Duquesne,  you  may  be  sure  gave  us  a 
great  deal  of  pleasure.  The  reduction  of  the  fort  by  driv- 
ing the  French  away,  though  it  will  not  make  such  an  eclat 
in  the  world  as  obtaining  it  by  a  regular  siege  or  a  pitched 
battle  would  have  done,  is  nevertheless  equally  beneficial  in 
its  consequences,  and  General  Forbes'  prudence  and  good 
conduct  will  establish  his  character  with  thinking  people,  as 
effectually  as  if  he  had  obtained  his  conquest  through  blood 
and  slaughter.  I  had  the  pleasure,  on  Monday  last,  of 
rejoicing  on  a  double  occasion,  for  amidst  the  ringing  of 
bells  and  firing  off  guns  for  the  above  mentioned  glorious 
event,  my  Peggy  was  safely  delivered  of  a  fine,  lusty  hoy ; 
so  that  you  may  be  sure  I  was  very  sincere  in  illuminating 
my  house  for  joy.  The  Governor  tells  me  General  Forbes 
expects  to  have  quarters  provided  for  1800  men,  and  he 
(the  Governor)  thinks  Lancaster  can  take  500,  as  formerly ; 
Reading  300,  and  York  200.  The  remainder  will  be  fixed 
at  Germantown  and  other  places  near  Philadelphia;  the 
Governor  desired  me  to  mention  this  to  you.  I  shall  take 
a  proper  opportunity  of  mentioning  Mr.  13urd  for  the  ofiice 
in  Cumberland,  though  I  cannot  help  thinking  with  you,  he 


151 

acts  more  in  character  as  a  soldier,  and  perhaps  his  present 
office  is  the  most  profitable,  and  m\\  be  not  less  durable, 
for  though  a  peace  should  come  on,  we  shall  always  keep  up 
one  or  two  troops  for  the  protection  of  our  Indian  trade,  and 
the  commander  of  a  fort  in  time  of  peace,  earns  his  money 
very  easily,  for  as  no  danger  is  apprehended,  the  absence  of 
an  officer  from  his  post  would  be  in  a  great  measure  winked 
at.  This,  however,  I  only  mean  as  a  hint  to  you,  for  I  would 
not  have  Mr.  Bard  think  me  slow  in  doing  him  a  kindness. 
I  will  look  out  for  a  good  quarter  cask  of  wine  for  you ; 
my  kind  love  to  mammy,  &c. 


SIR  JOHN  ST.  CLAIR  TO  COL.  BURD. 


Four  miles  icest  of  Kikonet/  Parol  in  js,  \ 


Tuesdai/  morning. 
Sir  : — The  fifty  men  of  your  battalion  which  began  to 
work  on  the  road  yesterday  at  12  o'clock,  cut  one  mile  of  it, 
so  that  there  remains  three  quarters  of  a  mile  to  finish  of 
what  I  expected,  which  I  shall  immediately  set  about,  with 
the  two  companies  of  carpenters ;  it  may  take  them  two  or 
three  hours.  I  dare  not  camp  at  the  foot  of  the  ridge,  as  I 
could  wish,  for  it  is  full  of  laurels,  but  shall  encamp  a  little 
on  this  side  of  the  clear  fields.  The  food  for  horses  all 
along,  from  this  to  the  clear  fields,  is  very  good.  From  the 
clear  fields  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  is  cut,  but  several  stones 
are  to  be  broken  or  removed.  I  shall  keep  working  on  the 
hill  all  this  day,  and  if  after  you  come  up,  you  choose  to 
see  the  descent  of  the  hill,  I  shall  accompany  you.  I 
enclose  you  the  return  of  the  men  that  I  have  here,  that 
you  may  make  your  disposition  accordingly.  In  case  I 
should  be  obliged  to  blow  rocks,  pray  send  me  a  piece  of 


152 

brimstone;  the  artillery  have  some;  you'll  not  forget  the 
wagon  cloths  which  are  in  the  redout. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  serv't, 

JNO.  ST.  CLAIR. 


C3.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  March  3c?,  1759. 

Honored  Sir: — I  give  you  joy  of  the  taking  of  the 
Island  of  Guadaloupe.  The  enclosed  was  the  first  account, 
which  is  since  confirmed.  The  engagement  mentioned  by 
Gaine  was  on  the  Island  of  Martinique,  between  7000  Eng- 
lish and  5000  French.  The  latter  were  soon  put  into  con- 
fusion, which  the  Highlanders  did  not  fail  to  improve  by 
rushing  in,  sword  in  hand.  But  the  cause  is  not  yet  known, 
why  our  troops  should  hasten  to  reimbark  without  attempt- 
ing anything  further.  Some  accounts  intimate,  that  the 
landing  on  Martinique  was  only  a  feint  to  cover  the  real 
design,  which  was  the  reducing  Guadaloupe.  The  account 
of  the  action  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay  is  corroborated  by  an 
account  from  Barbadoes,  that  says,  a  master  of  a  vessel  has 
taken  his  oath  that  he  actually  saw  the  French  and  British 
fleets  engaged,  the  former  consisting  of  fourteen  sail  of  the 
line,  and  the  latter  of  twenty-one  sail. 


CII.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  4T  LANCASTER. 

Phikulclphia,  March  llth,  1759. 

Honored  Sir  : — General  Forbes  is  to  be  interred  this 
afternoon,  with  great  pomp.  Mr.  Burd  got  safe  down,  and 
sends  his  love.  We  are  in  some  apprehension  that  the  yel- 
low fever  will  be  imported  this  summer  from  Guadaloupe. 


153 

OOL.  JAMES   KURD   TO   HIS   WIFE,  AT   HER   FATHER'S, 
LANCASTER. 

FhiladelpJua,  3Iarch  24/7i,  1759. 

My  Dearest  : — I  am  sorry  to  hoar  of  the  distresses  of 
your  family ;  the  more  so,  as  I  cannot  at  present  come  up 
to  see  you  all.  I  hope,  however,  the  children  are  all  doing 
well. 

There  is  great  disturbance  here,  occasioned  by  General 
Amherst's  giving  the  command  to  the  westward  to  my  name- 
sake, Colonel  Burd,*  of  Virginia.  The  Assembly  are  de- 
termined that  thoy  will  grant  neither  men  nor  money,  unless 
the  commander  is  changed;  and  I  believe  a  deputation  from 
the  Council  and  Assembly  of  this  Province  is  to  be  sent  on 
to  New  York  to  General  Amherst. 

These  disturbances  prevent  my  receiving  my  money,  for 
which  I  am  sorry.  If  you  want  any,  I  shall  be  obliged  to 
your  father  for  lending  you  some,  until  I  can  receive  my 
own. 

Since  writing  the  above,  I  hear  General  Stanwix  com- 
mands. He  arrived  last  night.  This  will  remove  all  ob- 
jections. I  am,  my  dearest. 

With  the  greatest  regard, 

Your  most  affectionate  husband, 

JAMES  BUllD. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  JAS.  BURD,  AT  PHILADELPHIA. 

Lancaster,  March  27th,  1759. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — I  am  very  sorry  that  General  Am- 
herst ever  thought  of  commissioning  Col.  William  Byrd, 

*  Colonel  Byrd,  of  Wcstover. 


154 

as  fine  a  gentleman  and  soldier  as  he  is,  since  it  proves  so 
very  disagreeable  to  our  wisdoms.  Sally  received  yours  of 
the  24th,  wherein  you  mention  General  Stanwix  as  your 
commander  to  the  westward,  but  I  think  your  information 
as  to  him  will  prove  wrong. 

Point  d'argent.  Point  de  suisse,  so  that  I  say  nothing 
more  to  you  of  your  buying  Mr.  lloss'  negro  girl,  who  is  a 
very  fine  one  by  all  accounts,  and  I  wish  with  all  my  heart 
Sally  had  her.  The  price  will  be  fifty  or  sixty  pounds  at 
most,  and  I  hope,  as  the  girl  is  not  yet  sold,  that  in  a  week 
or  two  you  will  be  able  to  pay  for  her ;  and  if  otherwise, 
we  must  be  contented. 


THOMAS  LLOYD  (MAJOR)  TO  COL.  JAMES  BURD. 

Liyonicr,  April  14;7t,  1759. 

Dear  Colonel  : — Yours  of  the  9th  of  March  I  had  the 
pleasure  to  receive  by  Ensign  Biddle,  and  was  extremely 
glad  to  have  that  satisfaction.  I  have  wrote  you  frequently 
relative  to  the  battalion,  but  conclude  that  my  letters  have 
been  intei'cepted  and  you  have  not  received  any.  I  am  ex- 
tremely sorry  to  tell  you,  what  now  remains  of  your  unfor- 
tunate battalion  is  hardly  worth  writing  about.  The  grave- 
yard has  most  of  them.  Exhausted  as  they  were,  with  the 
fatigues  of  a  most  unmerciful  campaign,  'twas  impossible 
they  should  stand  the  united  eifects  of  sickness  and  hard 
duty.  I  have,  agreeably  to  the  dictates  of  humanity  and 
duty,  afforded  them  all  the  relief  in  my  power,  and  con- 
tracted great  debts  in  doing  it ;  how  I  shall  be  paid,  is  a 
matter  of  some  doubt.  At  any  rate,  the  satisfaction  that 
accompanied  it  will  in  some  measure  repay  me.     I  have 


155 

urged  their  distressed  situation  with  all  the  eloquence  I  was 
master  of,  to  the  commanding  officer;  I  am  sorry  with  so 
little  success. 

The  hurry  has  been  fatal  to  them,  and  that  T  think  might 
have  been  in  some  measure  prevented.  There  arc  none  of 
the  second  battalion  at  this  post.  Captain,  one ;  Lieu- 
tenants, two;  Ensigns,  two  ;  rank  and  file  fit  for  duty, 
thirty-two. 

lutelligencc  says  that  there  arc  at  Venango  forty  French 
and  subalterns ;  at  Lc  Bocuf  a  hundred ;  at  Presque  Isle  a 
hundred  j  at  Niagara  a  thousand.  As  to  Indian  aifairs, 
they  don't  seem  to  be  at  present  on  the  best  footing — many 
treaties  but  little  sincerity.  I  believe  their  friendship  is  like 
that  of  the  rest  of  the  world,  and  will  attend  those  who 
stand  the  least  in  need  of  it ;  and,  in  order  to  gain  it,  we 
must  first  convince  them  that  it  can  be  of  no  use  to  us ; 
after  which,  perhaps  we  may  obtain  it.  I  am  extremely 
tired  of  this  place,  and  should  be  extremely  obliged  to  you 
if  you  can  by  any  means  procure  me  relief.  For  further 
particulars  I  refer  you  to  Mr.  Atlec.     Being,  sir,  &c. 


HUGH   MERCER,   (LIEUT.  COL.,)   TO    COL.    JAMES   BURD. 

Pittshurg,  April  23cZ,  1759. 

Dear  Sir  : — Your  favor  of  the  10th,  I  had  the  pleasure 
to  receive  yesterday,  and  should  undoubtedly  have  had 
great  satisfaction  of  hearing  of  your  and  Mrs.  Burd's  wel- 
fare long  ago.  It  is  very  difi'ercnt  with  one  who  lives  in 
exile,  and  has  little  entertainment,  besides  calling  to  mind 
past  scenes  of  happiness  in  the  society  of  his  friends,  from 
what  it  is  with  you  who  have  fresh  objects  of  delight  hourly 


156 

ci'ov.'ding  in.  Wc  have  endeavored  to  pass  through  the 
gloom  of  this  winter  as  easily  as  possible ;  and,  what  with' 
public  work,  and  frequent  perusal  of  the  history  of  the  four 
kings,  are  at  length  happily  arrived  among  shady  groves, 
blushing  blossoms,  and  verdant  fields. 

This  place  becomes  now  very  agreeable  to  most  of  us, 
and,  excepting  the  sick  and  the  lazy,  'tis  my  opinion  that 
few  of  the  soldiers,  and  not  one  of  the  officers,  of  a  grain 
of  sense  or  spirit,  would  take  it  of  choice  to  go  down  the 
country.  For  what  purpose  are  we  to  be  ordered  down, 
to  have  the  additional  fatigue  of  making  some  hundred 
miles,  starving  all  the  way,  and,  daring  the  campaign, 
become  the  rear  of  the  army,  to  be  tormented  with  escorts? 
I  propose  writing  on  this  subject  to  Colonel  Armstrong, 
and  hope  you  will  agree  not  to  harrass  your  people,  after 
what  they  have  already  suffered.  The  subject  might  become 
too  tedious,  was  I  to  describe  to  you  the  miseries  of  the 
Pennsylvania  troops  here,  and  much  more  so  at  Ligonier, 
for  want  of  surgeons ;  your  battalions  have  lost  immensely 
this  way.     I  have,  'tis  true,  been  in  Dr.  Johnston, 

who,  purely  to  oblige  me,  has  attended  our  people  at  this 
post;  but,  to  take  proper  care  of  such  numbers,  is  beyond 
the  power  even  of  his  industry.  Will  our  surgeons  agree 
to  indemnify  me  and  Dr.  Johnston,  or  will  they  acknow- 
ledge that  their  pay  is  granted  by  the  government  to  be 
frolicked  away  in  quarters,  when  the  lives  entrusted  to 
their  care,  demand  their  attendance  upon  the  frontiers.  In 
the  event  of  an  attack  on  this  post,  a  scene  of  tumult  must 
have  ensued,  too  shocking  for  imagination. 

The  enemy  keeps  peppering  away  up  in  the  communica- 
tion— the  particulars  of  which,  I  take  for  granted  you  have, 
before  this  reaches  you.  Hitherto  we  have  escaped  their 
parties,  excepting  the  batteau-men.     It  is  with  no   small 


157 

pleasure  I  fiud  that  Col.  Bouquet  is  to  command  here,  who 
will  be  a  proper  balance  between  the  provincial  troops,  be- 
sides many  other  advantages  arising  from  a  gentleman 
whom  every  man  must  esteem.     Your  namesake  on 

,  sent  his  orders  to  Col.  Lloyd,  to  remit  to  him  the 
roll  of  his  garrison,  and  that  of  Pellsby,  without  writing 
me  a  single  line.  How  far  this  fire  missed  in  the  military 
way,  you  may  judge.  We  are  extremely  obliged  to  your 
endeavors  and  Colonel  Armstrong's,  before  the  Assembly; 
for  my  part,  1  have  no  expectations,  and  therefore  can  suf- 
fer no  disappointment.  I  wish  the  insisting  on  augmenta- 
tion of  pay  may  not  disconcert  the  other  view  as  to  bet- 
money,  &c.,  for  you  know  our  people  have  weak  constitu- 
tions, and  won't  bear  a  great  deal  at  once.  I  tell  you  a 
word  in  your  ear,  "your  battalion  and  Colonel  Armstrong's 
will  never  be  in  character,  till  half  a-dozen  officers  are  broke 
from  the  service  with  disgrace.  Another  nuisance,  almost 
equal  to  the  scoundrel  behavior  of  too  many  of  the  officers,  is 
such  as  quit  the  service,  following  the  army  as  pedlars,  &c. 
To-day  I  made  an  excursion  to  Charles  old  town,  one  of  the 
finest  places  for  a  strong  post  to  be  found  perhaps  in  Ame- 
rica, besides  a  view  infinitely  superior  to  any  about  Pitts- 
burg, and  the  river  equally  commanded.  I  begin  to  think 
your  patience  has  suffered  sufficiently,  and  therefore  shall 
beg  leave  to  present  my  kind  regards  to  Mrs.  Burd  and  your 
young  family. 

JOSEPH  SHIPPEN,  (col.,)   TO    COL.    JAMES    BURD,    AT 
LANCASTER. 

PhiladelpUay  MaylM,  1759. 

Dear  Brother  : — Captain  Jones'  Company  marched  on 
Monday  for  Carlisle,  where  he  is  to  encamp,  having  an  order 


158 

on  the  keeper  of  the  king's  store,  from  Capt.  Hay,  to  re- 
ceive nine  tents,  and  fifty-three  stands  of  arms. 

Since  you  left  town,  the  Governor  has  peremptorily  told 
Mr.  Peters,  Young,  and  myself,  that  he  will  have  a  third 
battalion,  and  that  he  had  settled  it  with  the  General  the 
day  before,  telling  us  that  otherwise  the  two  battalions  would 
be  too  large. 

I  have  enclosed  you  a  copy  of  the  new  exercise,  which 
the  Royal  Americans  performed  very  well  when  received 
last  Monday.  I  hear  they  arc  to  leave  this  town  next  week 
with  the  artillery,  etc. 

Yesterday  the  General  gave  a  public  breakfast  at  the 
Assembly  Room ;  there  were  forty-two  ladies  there,  and 
many  more  gentlemen ;  all  danced  after  breakfast  till  near 
2  o'clock,  and  then  formed  parties  with  the  ladies  to  Schuyl- 
kill and  Springettsberry.  The  man  whom  you  enlisted 
before  you  left  town,  for  three  years,  is  extremely  troubled 
with  fits ;  I  am  of  opinion  he  will  be  of  very  little  service ; 
I  saw  him  the  other  day,  and  he  appeared  very  sickly  and 
weak.  What  shall  be  done  with  him?  I  give  you  joy  of 
the  surrender  of  Guadaloupe. 

P.  S. — The  Governor  says  he  will  be  paid  for  the  com- 
missions he  has  already  signed  since  he  has  been  in  the 
Government  and  those  he  is  yet  to  give  out,  exclusive  of  the 
secretary's  fees ;  he  has  settled  his  own  thus  : 

£     s. 

5         from  a  Colonel. 

4  do    a  Lieutenant. 

3  do    a  Major. 

2  do    a  Captain. 

1    10   do    a  Lieutenant. 

1  do    an  Ensign. 

And  he  has  ordered  Mr.  Young  to  collect  them. 


159 

HUGH     MERCER,     (T,T.     COL.,)    TO     COL.     JAMES     BUHD,     AT 
LANCASTER. 

Pittshmjh,  May  2Sd,  1759. 

Dear  Sir  : — Yours  of  the  30th  April  and  3(1  inst.,  I  had 
the  pleasure  to  receive  yesterday,  and  am  extremely  pleased 
to  find  that  your  young  family  have  happily  got  over  the 
distemper  which  has  raged  even  here,  and  among  our  neigh- 
bors at  .  Since  my  last,  having  occasion  to 
write  to  Col.  Armstrong,  I  enclosed  him  lists  of  the  dead  of 
your  battalion,  to  the  1st  instant,  desiring  he  should  send 
you  that  of  the  Second  Battalion.  But  few  have  dropped 
oflF  since,  and  I  flatter  myself  that  your  people  will  not 
appear  despicable  on  your  arrival  here.  They  mend  every 
day,  and  will  be  fit  for  any  service  required  of  them,  before 
the  army  arrives,  if  that  should  even  happen  some  time 
before  next  fall. 

My  opinion  as  to  their  going  to  the  settlement,  you  shall 
have  with  all  the  freedom  in  life.  I  never  knew  any  other 
advantage  accruing  to  soldiers  (I  mean  ours)  from  being  in 
town  on  the  frontier  than  blacked  eyes  and  eternal  fioggings, 
and  unless  Carlisle  and  Shippcnsburgh  are  of  late  more 
closely  altered  in  point  of  morals,  the  old  game  at  either  of 
these  seats  of  virtue  and  good  manners  would  undoubtedly 
be  played  over;  especially  if  N.  has  intended  the  men  should 
receive  their  pay  there,  to  enable  them  to  indulge  more  and 
more,  besides  having  their  pockets  picked  by  tavernkcepers. 
Then  this  garrison  is  to  march  (on  the  intended  scheme) 
four  hundred  miles ;  but  for  what  ?  Why  to  give  the  finishing 
stroke  to  their  health  and  spirits,  too  much  exhausted  by 
severe  duty  and  hard  labor,  experienced  here  through  the 
winter.     The  battalions  will  be  assembled  complete  on  the 


160 

Ohio,  and  I  am  convinced  even  the  common  men  will  choose 
rather  to  pay  the  expense  of  transporting  the  articles  intended 
them,  to  this  place,  than  carry  them  some  hundred  miles 
themselves.  But  I  hope  better  things  from  the  Government, 
than  that  such  a  tax  will  be  laid  on  us.  On  Monday  last,  a 
skirmish  happened  between  a  party  of  a  Corporal  and  ten 
Provincials,  and  about  twenty  Indians.  Poor  Swails,  to  the 
great  comfort  of  Molly  and  Tommy,  was  killed,  off  a  hunting 
from  the  party.  Our  men  behaved  well,  killed  one  and 
wounded  another  of  the  enemy ;  but  were  obliged  to  return, 
on  an  attempt  to  surround  them.  We  endeavored  to  come 
up  with  them  afterwards,  but  in  vain ;  they  had  made  off  in 
great  haste  with  two  Vermont  soldiers,  prisoners.  Two 
officers  and  some  Indians  from  Venango  have  hovered  about 
us  some  days,  but  carefully  avoid  all  the  traps  we  can  lay 
for  them.  There  is  no  coming  up  with  them,  but  by  a  fox 
hunt  to  Venango,  where  we  may  possibly  catch  old  Le  Narie 
in  his  hole,  unless  he  has  timely  notice  of  our  desire.  The 
only  news  is,  that  we  are  all  well,  and  have  no  reason  to 
dread  a  sudden  reverse  of  fortune. 


COL.   BURD   TO    COL.    BOUQUET. 

Camp  at  the  Little  Meadows,  Sept.  Itli,  1759. 

Dear  Sir  : — ^I  came  to  this  ground  last  night,  where  late 
in  the  evening  I  had  the  pleasure  to  receive  your  favors  of 
the  4th  instant.  It  is  very  lucky  you  did  not  attempt  to 
send  your  wagons  to  Fort  Cumberland,  as  they  certainly 
could  not  get  along  that  road;  after  so  much  rain  it  must 
be  a  perfect  swamp.  I  last  night  received  a  horse- 
load  of  the  oats  you  were  so  good  to  send  to  Cumberland. 


161 

The  road  from  my  last  encampment  to  this  is  really  exces- 
sively bad ;  the  Alleghany  Hill  is  by  no  means  the  worst  of 
it;  there  are  two  hills  extremely  bad  and  long.  From 
Martin's  place  to  this  they  esteem  it  eleven  miles,  and  I 
think  it  very  bad  for  wagons.  There  has  been  nothing  done 
upon  it  by  Finney.  If  the  road  is  all  along  as  I  have  found  it 
hither,  I  think  wagons  can  carry  one-third  more  on  the 
other  roads  than  this,  and  with  more  ease  to  the  horses ; 
apd  I  would  strongly  advise  that  a  party  from  Fort  Cum- 
berland may  be  ordered  upon  this  road  from  thence  to 
Guest's ;  I'll  answer  from  thence  to  the  mouth  of  Redstone 
Creek,  The  commanding  officer  of  the  party  should  not 
hurry,  but  make  the  road  good,  and  take  time.  It  seems  to 
me  that  Mr.  Braddock  was  in  a  hurry  to  get  along,  and  so 
did  not  allow  time  to  make  the  road  as  it  ought  or  easily 
could  be  made.  It  is  not  more  than  ten  feet  wide,  and  car- 
ried right  up  every  hill  almost  without  a  turn,  and  the  hills 
almost  perpendicular  ;  however,  if  the  officer  who  is  sent  on 
it  from  Cumberland  has  any  understanding  and  regard  for 
the  service,  he  may  make  it  a  good  communication,  as  it  is 
very  capable  of  improvement ;  and  I  know  I  could  make  it 
a  good  road  for  the  part  of  the  country,  but  as  it  now  stands 
it  is  too  bad.  You  know  Mr.  Avery  weighed  the  loads  of 
my  wagons,  and  they  were  12  cwt.  [  each.]  I  found  they  could 
not  get  along  even  with  this  moderate  load ;  and  I  took  out 
about  14  cwt.  and  loaded  upon  the  officers'  horses,  and  at 
the  hill  I  put  six  soldiers  to  each  wagon  to  hoist  them  up. 
I  hope  to  march  from  hence  twelve  miles  to-day ;  if  I  make 
out  this  march  I  will  be  very  happy  at  night. 

I  observe  you  have  some  thought  of  sending  the  three 
wagons  this  way.  I  hope  they  will  do  very  well  after  the 
road  is  mended ;  as  the  hills  must  be  turned  up  by  wind- 


162 

ing,  and  not  loft  as  they  arc  now,  straight  up.  The  stones 
must  be  thrown  out  of  the  road,  all  new  bridges,  and  old 
ones  tossed  on  one  side,  and  I  think  the  road  should  be 
widened;  but  this  might  be  dispensed  with.  I  am  very 
glad  the  General  will  find  a  conveyance  to  meet  me  at  the  Mo- 
nongahela.  I  will  immediately  upon  my  arrival  ascertain 
the  situation  of  the  water,  and  then  we  can  proceed  accord- 
ingly with  the  transportation  from  Cumberland.  The  wea- 
ther has  been  very  severe  upon  my  people,  and  not  a  little 
so  upon  myself,  as  I  have  had  a  fever ;  but  now  we  are  all 
in  good  spirits  and  no  complaints. 
I  conclude,  my  dear  Colonel, 

Your  sincere  friend  and  humble  servant, 
JAMES  BURD. 
Col.  Shippen's  compliments  to  you. 


COL.    BOUQUET   TO   COL.    BURD. 

Fort  Duefoir,  Sept.  \2>th,  1759. 

Dear  Sir  : — We  have  had  an  account  from  St.  Law- 
rence, that  General  Wolf  attacked  the  lines  the  31st  July, 
with  all  the  grenadiers  and  two  hundred  E..  A.,  but  was  re- 
pelled with  loss  of  four  hundred  men,  partly  wounded. 
People  begin  to  think  that  he  will  not  succeed,  but  will  ruin 
the  country  in  his  retreat.  I  hope  better;  he  has  beaten 
the  Canadians  and  Indians  everywhere,  killed  great  num- 
bers, and  got  five  hundred  prisoners.  No  news  from  Eu- 
rope. Callender  has  arrived  with  his  men's  horses,  but 
Hambright  is  yet  at  Lancaster. 


163 

COL.    BURD   TO   GENERAL   STANWIX. 

Camp  at  tlie  mouth  of  Nemoraling^s  Greeh,  on  the  Monon- 
gahela,  aLout  one  mile  above  the  mouth  of  Redstone  Creehy 
Sept.  mth,  1759. 

Sir  : — I  have  cut  the  road  from  Guest's,  and  came  to  this 
ground  the  twenty-third  inst.  I  would  have  wrote  your 
excellency  ere  now,  but  have  been  hourly  expecting  the 
arrival  of  a  batteau  at  Pittsburgh.  I  think  this  will  be  a 
very  fine  post,  it  is  situated  upon  a  hill  in  the  fork  of  the 
river  and  creek,  commands  both,  and  is  not  commanded  by 
anything ;  the  Lill  is  almost  fifty  yards  from  the  river,  and 
joins  the  creek.  I  have  kept  the  people  constantly  employed 
on  the  works  since  my  arrival,  although  we  have  been  for 
eight  days  past  upon  the  small  allowance  of  one  pound  of 
beef  and  half  a  pound  of  flour  per  man  a  day,  and  this  day 
we  begin  upon  one  pound  of  beef,  not  having  one  ounce  of 
flour  left,  and  only  three  bullocks,  I  am  therefore  obliged  to 
give  over  working  till  I  receive  some  supplies.  I  have 
expected  Captain  Poaris  with  a  quantity  of  provisions  for 
some  time,  and  know  nothing  of  the  reason  of  the  delay.  I 
wrote  five  days  ago  on  this  subject,  and  shall  find  an  express 
to  Cumberland  this  day.  I  shall  measure  the  road  from 
Guest's  thither,  and  make  a  return  of  it ;  I  compute  the 
distance  seven  miles.  Enclosed  is  a  return  of  the  troops 
under  my  command. 

I  am  with  esteem,  your  excellency's 

most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JAMES  BURD. 
His  Excellency,  General  Stanwix. 


164 
EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  JAMES  BURD,  AT  PITTSBURGH. 

New  York,  October  l\ih,  1759. 

This  evening  the  Brig  Seahorse,  Capt.  Williams,  arrived 
here  in  nine  days  from  Louisbourg,  by  whom  we  have  the 
following  extract  of  a  letter  containing  the  particulars  under- 
mentioned : 

Louishourg,   Oct.  2cl,  1759. 

*  *  *  Yesterday  a  vessel  arrived  at  this  place  from 
Quebec,  which  brings  us  the  agreeable  news  of  the  fall  of 
that  place  the  17th  of  last  month  ;  the  only  letter  is  from 
Captain  Brea,  of  the  Princess  Amelia,  who  says  that  on  the 
13th,  as  General  Wolfe  landed  on  the  north  side  above  the 
town,  that  Montcalm  opposed  iim,  when  a  most  bloody 
engagement  commenced,  in  which  poor  General  Wolfe  was 
killed,  much  lamented ;  but  he  died  gloriously,  and  I  think 
rather  to  be  envied  than  pitied.  General  Monckton  is 
wounded  through  the  lungs  ;  Captain  Millbanks,  of  Bragg's, 
killed ;  Lord  Seymore,  Lt.  Col.  Fletcher,  Col.  Barney,  Col. 
Carlton,  Major  Spittle,  Captain  Cazneau,  his  officers  and 
many  more  wounded,  in  all  on  our  side,  above  500.  On 
that  of  the  French,  Montcalm  and  Levy  both  killed ;  the 
third  in  command  both  taken  prisoners,  and  the  fourth 
killed,  in  all,  about  1600.  We  pursued  them  to  their  sally 
ports ;  Brigadier  Townsend,  the  then  commander,  made  a 
battery  within  300  yards  of  the  citadel,  and  by  the  16th  it 
was  finished.  The  17th  he  summoned  the  town  to  sur- 
render, and  in  case  of  refusal,  they  should  have  no  quarters, 
when  they  immediately  sent  him  a  carte  blanche. 
This  is  all  I  know. 

DAVID  HALL. 


165 

Lancaster,  3  o'clock  P.  M.,  Oct.  lith,  1759. 

Dear  Son, — Mr.  Burd  : — Just  as  we  were  setting  out 
for  Church,  Bjerly,  the  General's  express,  brought  in  a  j)aper 
of  which  the  above  is  a  copy,  I  hope  the  news  is  true,  and 
so  I  heartily  congratulate  you  on  the  occasion.  Your  wife 
and  children  are  all  well.  Your  mammy  joins  with  me  in 
our  kind  love  to  yourself  and  your  Lieut.  Colonel.  I 
should  not  be  so  brief,  but  for  two  reasons,  that  the  bell  is 
ringing  for  prayers,  and  Byerly  can't  stay. 

I  am  your  affectionate  and  loving  father, 

EDWD.  SHIPPEN. 


COL.  SHIPPEN,  JR.,  TO  HIS  EATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

FhiladelpJua,  Oct.  11th,  1759. 

Honored  Sir  : — It  is  the  most  difficult  thing  imaginable, 
to  get  pieces  of  eight  changed  for  paper,  so  that  I  can  send 
you  up  no  money  by  Ennis.*  There  are  generally  some 
shopkeepers  from  Lancaster,  coming  to  this  town,  can't  you 
get  their  money  and  draw  orders  on  me  ?  Doctor  Smith 
has  brought  with  him  the  resolution  of  the  King  and 
Council  in  his  favor,  in  which  our  Governor  is  required  to 
signify  his  Majesty's  high  displeasure  to  the  Assembly  of 
Pennsylvania  for  their  unjust,  illegal  and  arbitrary  pro- 
ceedings in  the  affair  of  Mr.  Smith,  for  their  bold  invasion 
of  the  prerogative  of  the  Crown  and  unwarrantable  attack 
upon  the  liberties  of  the  subject.^  He  is  also  required  to 
take  especial  care  that  no  such  measure  be  suffered  for  the 

*  Things  have  changed  now-a-days.  The  difBculty  is  now  to  get 
money  for  paper. 

t  Ante  page  108,  110. 


166 

future,  and  that  the  King's  writs  do  issue  freely,  and  that 
all  officers  of  justice  be  protected  in  the  execution  of  them. 
This  will  be  laid  before  the  Assembly  on  their  next  meeting, 
and  will  no  doubt  create  a  great  ferment  in  the  house ;  some 
hot  heads  still  talk  of  imprisoning  Smith. 

You  ought  to  be  well  paid  for  all  the  trouble  you  take  in 
the  King's  affairs.  Col.  Bouquet  told  Mr.  Allen,  you  should 
either  have  2  J  per  cent,  commission,  or  a  guinea  per  day, 
which  you  pleased,  I  suppose  the  commission  would  mount 
highest. 


CH.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  November  26<A,  1759. 

Honored  Sir  : — Governor  Hamilton  is  very  hearty,  and 
will  not  run  the  risk  of  becoming  otherwise  by  living  at 
Bush  Hill.  He  is  to  have  Denny's  house — Swaine  is  to  be 
turned  out,  and  Lewis  Gordon  to  succeed  him.  Things  in 
the  government  begin  to  wear  a  pleasant  aspect,  and  the 
late  administration  is  iooked  upon  with  a  proper  contempt. 
Denny,  it  is  said,  carries  pocket  pistols  for  fear  of  insults. 
I  don't  wonder  at  his  apprehensions,  since  if  his  conscience 
be  awake,  he  must  tremble  at  the  sight  of  every  honest 
man. 


167 


Disposition  of  the  Femuylvania  Troops  stationed  at  the  Posts  on  the 
communication  from  Fittsburffk  to  Carlisle,  and  at  Fort  Augusta 
and  Fori  Allen,  on  the  frontiers  of  the  Frovince  of  Fcnnsylvania, 
Nov.  13M,  1759. 


WHKKK  STATIONED 

BAT- 
TALION. 

FIELD  OFFICEBS. 

CAPTAINS. 

SUBAITEENS. 

< 
\ 

3 

2 

5 
1 
2 
2 

1 

2 
1 
3 

2 

1 
3 

2 

1 
3 

< 

92 

58 

150 
~12 

61 
39 
100 

20 

61 
39 

100 
20 

F.  B., 
S.B., 

Maj.  Armstrong, 

Clapham,     5 
Broadhead,5 

Hutchings,       ) 
Anderson,       J 
Price,               \ 
Wackerberg,  J 

Bush  Run, 

F.  B., 

Ligonier,    •    -  ^ 

F.  B., 
S.  B., 

Haj.  Jameson, 

Hyndshaw,  \ 
\ 

Craighead,       > 
Piper,               5 
Humphries,     i 
Bond,               5 

Stony  Creek,      - 

S.  B., 

Curched, 

Bedford,     .    •   [ 

F.  B., 
S.B., 

Lt.  Col.  SUppen, 
Maj.  Orndt, 

Potter,        ^ 
\ 

Lytell,              ) 
Stetler,            J 
Miles,               5 
Hunter,           i 

Juniatta,    -     -    - 

F.  B., 

Wilkes, 

Fort  Lyttleton,  • 

S.  B., 

McKee, 

\ 

3 

20 

20 

8 
12 

20 

20 

100 

20 

Loudon,     -    -    - 

F.  B., 

Blyth, 

Shippensburg,    i 

F.  B., 
S.  B., 

Scott, 

Carlisle,    •    -    - 

F.  B., 

Lyttle, 

Fort  Augusta,    - 

S.  B., 

5    Trump       ; 
I    Atlee.       5 

4 

Fort  AUen,    -    • 

S.  B., 

1 

TOTAL,    -    -    - 

F.  B., 
S.  B., 

1 
3 

3 
3 

9 

14 

11    6    iW 
14    6   3U0 

4 

6  1                        iZ 

25 

12 

602| 

N.  E.— Lieut.  McKee,  by  the  General's  orders,  remains  here  for  a  particular  department; 
therefore,  Lieut.  Anderson,  who,  in  the  former  disposition,  was  appointed  to  Bush  Run,  or  some 
other  ofticer  of  the  First  Battalion,  ought  to  be  at  Shippensburg. 


168 

CH.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  Dec.  Ath,  1759. 

Honored  Sir  : — We  are  very  much  surprised  to  hear  that 
three  of  the  Lancaster  Judges  are  qualified ;  especially  as 
it  must  have  been  so  long  ago  as  in  Mr.  Denny's  time, 
and  we  never  heard  of  it  before.  No  new  dedimus  has  been 
issued  since  Mr.  Hamilton's  time,  and  I  hope  they  have  not 
been  qualified  under  Mr.  Denny's  dedimus  after  he  was  out 
of  the  government,  because  it  must  be  clear  that  his  power 
died  with  his  administration ;  and  if,  after  the  supersedeas 
to  his  commission,  he  could  not  have  qualified  the  judges 
himself,  it  is  very  evident  no  person  under  a  delegated 
power  from  him  could  do  it.  A  dedimus  potestatem  is  of 
the  same  nature  with  a  power  of  attorney,  it  dies  with 
the  party  giving  it.  However,  if  the  case  had  been  so,  it  is 
all  a  mistake,  and  they  can  have  no  power  till  they  are 
properly  qualified  by  the  present  Governor,  or  by  some  per- 
son to  whom  he  shall  give  a  power  for  that  purpose.  Upon 
a  supposition  that  the  Judges  are  or  soon  will  be  properly 
qualified,  then  in  answer  to  the  queries  in  the  little  paper 
enclosed  to  me,  I  am  of  opinion  that  all  the  writs  to  be 
issued  before  next  Court  must  be  tested,  and  may  be  signed 
by  you  in  the  same  manner  as  heretofore,  because  they  bear 
test  on  the  last  day  of  the  last  term,  when  no  new  judges 
were  in  being,  and  the  writs  are  supposed  in  law  to  have 
issued  on  the  day  they  bear  test.  Whether,  after  next  Court, 
the  writs  may  be  signed  by  you  as  prothonotary,  or  must 
be  signed  by  a  judge,  I  shall  have  sufficient  time  between 
this  and  then  to  consider  of.  As  to  the  entering  judgments, 
they  must  certainly  be  done  before  a  judge  of  the  court; 
and  where   judgments  confessed   are  sent  up  from  Phila- 


169 


delphia,  the  usual  entry  must  be  made  in  the  docket,  and 
signed  by  a  judge  upon  his  seeing  the  confession  of  the 
judgment  under  the  attorney's  hand.  My  fingers  are 
numbed  with  cold. 


CH.  J.  SHTPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER;  AT  LANCASTER, 

Philadelphia,  Dec.  \^th,  1759. 

Honored  Sir  : — I  returned  last  night  from  Bucks,  when 
I  received  Josey's  letter ;  but  as  the  news  he  mentions 
has  not  yet  been  confirmed,  I  conclude  there  is  nothing 
in  it.  We  shall  probably  have  freqaent  alarms  this  win- 
ter, and  perhaps  more  people  will  be  cut  off  on  the  fron- 
tiers, but  I  have  no  notion  that  any  body  of  Indians  will 
venture  into  the  thick  settled  part  of  the  country.  Their 
cowardly  disposition,  and  the  diflBculty  they  would  have  in 
returning,  will  be  our  security.  The  treaty  with  the  Indians 
is  to  be  held  at  Harris'  Ferry,  the  1st  of  January.  I  en- 
close you  a  party  paper  for  your  amusement;  the  authors 
are  said  to  be  Wm.  Franklin,  Jos.  Galloway,  and  George 
Bryan,  but  I  know  not  with  what  justice.  The  introduc- 
tion, and  the  letter  from  Montreal,  are  said  to  be  wrote 
by  an  older  hand.  The  difference  between  them  and  the 
other  parts  of  the  paper  is  very  apparent.  If  a  superla- 
tive degree  of  scurrility  is  wit,  I  think  the  piece  has  merit. 
Read  and  judge. 


COLONEL    SIIIPPEN    TO    GENERAL   STANWIX. 

Fort  Bedford,  January  Ath,  1760. 

Sir  :  —  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  Excellency's 
letter  of  the  2-lth  ultimo,  directing  me,  as  soon  as  I  am 

H 


170 

relieved  by  a  party  of  the  Royal  Americans,  to  marcli  all 
the  Pennsylvanians  under  my  command  to  Lancaster,  leav- 
ing garrisons  of  twenty-five  men  at  Loudon  and  Lyttleton. 
Colonel  Burd  now  informs  mc,  it  is  the  Governor's  inten- 
tion to  dispose  of  the  one  hundred  and  fifty  Pennsyl- 
vanians remaining  in  pay,  thus :  a  hundred  at  Augusta, 
twenty  at  Fort  Allen,  and  thirty  at  Lyttleton ;  nevertheless, 
I  shall  execute  the  orders  I  have  received  from  your 
Excellency. 

Major  Jameson,  with  his  detachment  from  Ligonier,  left 
this  yesterday  morning,  and  Captain  Brodhead's  division 
marched  to-day. 

I  enclose  a  return  of  the  Pennsylvania  troops  remaining 
here,  by  which  your  Excellency  will  observe,  there  are 
twenty-four  men  more  than  was  destined  for  this  post :  but 
this  was  occasioned  ^by  a  number  of  sick  and  lame,  left 
here  by  the  different  parties,  marching  downwards ;  and  I 
was  under  a  necessity  of  detaining  a  few  artificers,  in  order 
to  finish  a  large  bridge  across  the  Juniata,  two  miles  up 
the  road. 

Your  Excellency  may  depend  upon  my  using  my  best 
endeavors  to  promote  the  recruiting  service  for  the  Royal 
Americans;  as  I  shall  be  proud,  at  all  times,  to  execute 
any  of  your  commands, — and  beg  you  will  believe  me  to  be, 
with  the  greatest  esteem. 

Your  Excellency's,  &c. 


COL.   SniPPEN   TO   COL.  BURD,   AT   CARLISLE. 

Fort  Bedford,  January  21st,  1760. 

Dear  Brother  :  —  Your  favor  of  the  17  th  instant,  I 
received   last   night,  by  which    I   unexpectedly  find   that 


171 

Mr.  Young  is  come  to  Carlisle  for  the  two  old  battalions, 
though  it  was  the  General's  peremptory  orders  to  Major 
Jameson,  Captain  Broadhead  and  myself,  to  march  them  to 
Lancaster  for  that  purpose.  But,  while  I  continue  in  the 
army  under  his  command,  I  think  myself  obliged  to  obey 
his  instructions.  You  ask  me,  if  I  can  send  down  your 
company  immediately.  I  am  sorry  it  is  not  in  my  power  to 
oblige  you,  as  I  cannot  dispense  with  any  part  of  this  gar- 
rison, till  the  Royals  arrive,  without  the  General's  permis- 
sion, which,  if  I  had,  I  could  not  possibly  spare  an  officer 
to  march  with  ic  at  present,  having  sent  down  Lieut.  Gray- 
don  last  week,  agreeable  to  your  former  desire,  and  only 
Lieut.  Miles  and  Mr.  Curched  left  to  do  the  duty  here; 
Ensign  Price  acting  as  Adjutant  and  Quartermaster. 

And  I  am  sorry  to  tell  you  of  another  material  reason, 
that  would  prevent  me  from  sending  away  any  part  of  the 
garrison — which  is,  a  violent  general  mutiny  that  broke  out 
this  morning  among  the  men,  in  consequence  of  their  hav- 
ing heard  that  they  were  to  receive  no  pay  after  the  15th 
instant.  They  almost,  to  a  man,  refused  to  do  their  duty, 
and  I  having  confined  a  sergeant  to  begin  with,  all  the  men 
run  out  of  their  barracks  and  rescued  him,  and  took  him 
under  their  protection.  I  was  obliged  to  march  at  the  head 
of  the  guard,  with  my  sword  drawn  among  them,  and  swear 
that  I  was  determined  to  run  the  first  man  through,  that 
attempted  to  detain  the  prisoner,  or  do  any  kind  of  violence. 
With  difficulty,  I  took  the  prisoner.  The  whole  of  them 
swore  they  would  follow  him — the  consequences  of  which  I 
dreaded — and  therefore  prevented  it,  by  standing  with  my 
sword  at  the  door  of  the  barrack,  and  assuring  them  I  was 
resolved  to  put  to  death  the  first  man  that  moved  a  step.  I 
cannot  now  mention  any  more  particulars,  as  the  express 


172 

waits.  But,  with  storming  and  threatening  death,  and  for- 
feiture of  pay,  and  by  setting  their  disgraceful,  infamous 
behavior  and  rebellion,  in  their  proper  light,  I  have,  in  a 
great  measure,  appeased  the  violent  spirit  of  most  of  them, 
and  I  hope  that  the  orders  that  I  have  this  moment  given 
out,  (it  is  now  about  twelve  o'clock,)  with  what  I  shall  say 
to  them  on  the  parade,  will  be  the  means  of  putting  an  end 
to  all  disturbances. 

Copy  of  the  Orders  given  at  Fort  Bedford. 

Fort  Bedford,  January  21s<,  17G0. 
12  ddoch,  (.¥.) 

The  whole  detachment  to  parade  with  their  arms  at  one 
o'clock,  when  every  man  that  does  not  attend,  as  well  as 
those  that  refuse  to  do  their  duty,  shall  be  looked  upon  as 
ringleaders  of  mutiny  and  rebellion  against  his  Majesty, 
and  will  be  punished  as  such  by  the  sentence  of  a  general 
court-martial,  and  forfeit  all  his  pay ;  and  the  commanding 
officer  takes  this  opportunity  to  inform  them,  that  he  has 
received  certain  intelligence  by  letters  to  Capt.  Oury  and 
himself,  that  the  Koyal  Americans  arrived  at  Carlisle  the 
17th  instant,  and  are  marching  up  with  all  expedition  to 
relieve  this  garrison,  and  will  undoubtedly  be  here  this 
week;  and  Colonel  Shippen  hereby  acquaints  those  that 
will  cheerfully  do  their  duty  as  good  soldiers  till  that  relief 
arrives,  that  he  will  do  everything  in  his  power  to  have 
justice  done  to  them  in  every  respect. 

Monday,  \\  o'clock,  P.  If. 

I  have  just  returned  from  the  parade,  and  have  the  satis- 
faction to  tell  you  that  the  men  have  all  agreed  to  do  their 
duty,  and  I  beg  you  will  use  your  interest  to  get  an  order 


173 

from  the  commissioners,  that  all  the  men  be  paid  to  the 
day  of  their  discharge,  if  Mr.  Young  is  not  already  em- 
powered to  do  this.  I  shall  march  down  with  all  the  expe- 
dition I  can.  My  compliments  to  Colonels  Armstrong  and 
Mercer,  and  Messrs.  Young  and  Bard,  and  the  gentlemen 
with  you. 

I  am,  dear  colonel, 

Your  very  affectionate  brother, 

JOSEPH  SHIPPEN,  Jr. 


CH.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

PhiladeJjjMa,  January/  2Sth,  1760. 

Honored  Sir  : — I  received  your  favor  by  Col.  Bouquet's 
express.  As  to  your  question,  whether  you  ought  to  refuse 
granting  writs  for  masters  against  servants  enlisted,  I  have 
considered  it,  and  think  you  have  no  power  to  refuse  the 
writs. 

The  contract  between  master  and  servant  is  for  servitude, 
which  the  master  can  get  enforced  by  the  Court  of  Quarter 
Sessions.  You  know  there  is  an  Act  of  Parliament  to 
oblige  officers  enlisting  servants  to  pay  for  them,  and  it  is 
my  opinion,  that  the  master  ought  to  pursue  the  steps 
directed  by  that  Act,  and  that  no  other  remedy  is  in  his 
power.  Mr.  John  Ross  declares  he  never  advised  such  a 
step. 


CH.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelpliia,  March  2St7i,  17G0. 

Honored  Sir  : — There  is  a  petition  going  to  the  Assem- 
bly to  erect  the  land  southward  of  the  south  bounds  of  this 


174 

city  into  a  borough,  wbich,  it  is  said,  will  be  the  means  of 
drawing  a  great  number  of  people  there,  and  of  course  will 
improve  the  value  of  the  lands.  I  have  been  looking  over 
a  rough  sketch  of  the  plan  of  division  between  you  and 
Uncle  Joe  of  the  square  where  Logan's  house  now  stands, 
and  observe  that  your  lots  on  Second  street  are  all  bounded 
on  the  east  by  lots  belonging  to  him,  and  those  of  his  in 
the  same  manner  by  yours,  ■which  I  cannot  help  thinking  a 
great  detriment  to  both  of  you.  The  houses  building  on 
Mrs.  Jekyl's  ground,  and  other  ground  thereabout,  are  in 
a  very  good  fashion,  and  will  be  inhabited  by  people  of  cir- 
cumstances. Many  others  will  be  daily  looking  out  for 
good  lots  to  build  on.  The  improvement  of  the  water  lots 
will  draw  many  of  the  merchants  there,  and  it  will  in  a 
little  time  be  a  very  reputable  part  of  the  town ;  in  which 
case,  there  will  be  many  customers  for  lots  of  a  good  front, 
130  feet  deep,  who  would  never  think  of  a  lot  only  sixty  feet 
deep.  I  should  think,  if  your  brother  and  yourself  were  to 
release  to  each  other  the  several  lots  on  Vernon  street  that 
tail  upon  the  lots  on  Second  street,  it  would  unquestionably 
raise  the  value  of  both  your  estates.  At  the  time  the  divi- 
sion was  made,  there  was  no  reason  to  expect  any  but  the 
lower  sort  of  people  would  build  on  lots  so  remote  from  the 
centre  of  business,  and  such  shallow  lots  might  suit  them 
well  enough.  But  the  case  is  now  altered,  and  we  see  good 
houses  daily  building  where  formerly  nobody  would  have 
thought  of  such  a  thing.  Lots  are  grown  very  scarce.  There 
are  few  vacant  ones,  and  people  of  business  will  not  retire 
to  the  upper  end  of  Market  street  while  they  can  get  lots 
near  the  water.  You'll  excuse  my  hinting  this  matter  to 
you;  I  really  think  it  of  consequence. 


175 
CH.  J.  SHIPPEN,  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

March,  1760. 

Hon.  Sir  : — General  Amherst  favored  us  with  his 
company  but  two  days.  He  would  not  interfere  between 
the  Governor  and  Assembly  about  passing  the  money  bill. 
But  they  all  seem  determined  not  to  give  it  up,  so  that  it  is 
yet  doubtful  whether  any  money  will  be  granted.  I  have 
heard  that  General  Amherst  left  orders  with  General  Stan- 
■wix,  that  if  the  bill  should  pass,  to  give  him  immediate 
notice  of  it,  that  he  might  order  the  battalion  destined  to 
the  westward,  to  some  other  quarter.  If  so,  we  shall  be  left  in 
as  bad  a  plight  on  our  frontiers  as  ever.  However,  I  am 
not  without  hopes  that  some  means  may  still  be  found  out 
to  reconcile,  at  least  for  the  present,  the  contending  parties. 


CH.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  April  Wth,  1760. 

Hon.  Sir  : — I  accompanied  poor  Joe  last  Sunday  as  far 
as  Gloucester,  when  he  embarked  for  Leghorn,  but  from  the 
winds  I  imagined  he  could  not  get  out  of  the  cape  till  to-day ; 
he  is  in  a  good  vessel  and  has  a  cheerful  and  obliging  cap- 
tain. I  give  my  prayers  with  yours  for  his  safe  and  prosper- 
ous voyage.  Mr.  Burd  has  had  some  kind  offers  of  being 
employed  in  the  room  of  Adam  Hoopes  this  campaign.  He 
seems  very  fond  of  the  thing  and  asked  my  advice.  I  have 
great  doubts  and  therefore  consulted  Mr.  Allen,  who  is 
clearly  of  opinion  he  had  better  continue  Colonel.  He 
thinks  the  gentlemen  who  at  present  are  agents  for  the 
contractors,  viz  :   Moss,  Plumsted  and  Franks,  are  greatly 


17G 

unequal  to  the  task,  and  will  not  be  able  to  raise  money 
enough  to  supply  the  under  agents  as  they  call  for  it,  in 
which  case  Mr.  Burd  would  lose  his  credit,  and  perhaps 
have  a  number  of  writs  clapped  on  his  back. 

Joshua  Howell,  who  had  as  much  management  and 
address  as  any  man  among  us,  was  frequently  under  the 
greatest  difficulties,  and  could  never  have  carried  on  the 
business,  but  for  the  assistance  the  whole  body  of  Quakers 
from  time  to  time  afforded  him.  The  present  people  have 
neither  address,  industry,  friends,  nor  money,  Mr.  Burd 
listens  to  this  advice,  and  I  believe  will  not  be  obstinate, 
though  the  prospect  is  tempting. 


CH.  J.  SniPPEN  TO  COL.  SHIPPEN,  AT  LEGHORN. 

Philadelphia,  May  12th,  1760. 

Dear  Brother  : — Though  I  date  my  letter  from  Philadel- 
phia, I  am  in  fact  at  Reading,  on  my  Western  Circuit,  and 
write  at  this  time  lest  Captain  Ritchie  should  sail  before  I 
got  to  town.  Nothing  very  material  has  happened  since 
you  left  us.  We  are  still  in  a  state  of  uncertainty  as  to  the 
continuance  of  the  war ;  however,  we  think  at  all  events  you 
must  have  come  to  a  tolerable  market.  If  you  should 
not  return  in  the  vessel,  you  will  write  me  very  particu- 
larly your  sentiments  concerning  the  trade  in  the  Meditera- 
nean,  and  what  commodities  would  answer  from  hence  in 
time  of  peace,  and  also  what  houses  you  think  best  of  in 
the  several  ports.  This  knowledge  will  be  very  useful,  as 
few  people  here  are  in  the  least  acquainted  with  it.  Cousin 
Johnny  Allen  will  have  heard  of  the  death  of  his  good  old 


grandmamma  :  if  the  most  remarkable  virtue  and  piety  is 
proportionably  rewarded  in  the  other  world,  this  good  aunt 
of  ours  must  now  possess  an  excellent  place  in  heaven. 

The  last  article  that  was  inserted  in  your  list  of  goods 
was  500  dozen  of  Leghorn  hats.  I  hope  you  will  not  mis- 
take our  meaning  as  to  the  quality  of  this  article ;  it  must 
be  a  very  cheap  kind — not  higher  than  two,  three  or  four 
shillings  per  dozen. 

In  my  private  list  of  things  I  mentioned  a  marble  slab  ; 
if  you  have  not  already  purchased  it,  let  it  be  a  few  inches 
longer  and  an  inch  or  two  wider  than  I  directed.  If  you 
can  conveniently  get  a  small  Italian  greyhound,  I  would 
be  glad  you  would  send  me  one ;  and  Col.  Burd  desires,  if 
pointers  are  plenty  where  you  are,  that  you  would  send  him 
one. 

The  expedition  to  the  westward  is  going  on  under  Gene- 
ral Monckton.  It  is  thought  the  army  will  proceed  to  Fort 
Detroit.  Our  two  Provincial  regiments,  under  Col.  Burd 
and  Col.  Mercer,  are  in  a  fair  way  of  being  completed. 

All  our  families  are  well.  My  father  is  now  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  will  no  doubt  write  to  you  by  this  oppor- 
tunity. 

I  mentioned  two  Turkey  carpets,  one  about  16  or  17  feet 
by  12  or  13,  the  other  14  or  15  by  11.  I  am  afraid  they 
will  be  too  narrow ;  so  that,  if  not  already  shipped,  let  the 
first  be  about  14  and  the  other  12. 


CU.    J.    SHIPPEN   TO   HIS   FATHER,   AT  LANCASTER. 

PliiladelpMa,  June  9th,  1760. 
Hon'd  Sir  : — I  give  you  joy  of  our  having  raised  the 
siege  of  Quebec,  after  the  enemy  had  actually  made  a  breach 


178 

in  tlie  walls  and  were  preparing  to  enter,  sword  in  hand.  It 
does  not  yet,  I  think,  clearly  appear  from  the  accounts, 
whether  the  flight  of  the  enemy  proceeded  from  the  appear- 
ance of  Lord  Colville's  fleet,  or  from  an  actual  drubbing  they 
got  from  our  people  in  a  sally  from  the  town.  After  the 
account  which  we  had  ten  days  ago,  most  people  here  and 
at  New  York  gave  up  the  place;  so  that  this  account  affords 
double  joy. 


A  List  of  Officers  in  First  Battalion  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Regiment,  June,  17G0. 

KANK.  DATES  OF  COMRHSSION. 

Colonel. 

Colonel  Command' t,  Dec.   2,1757 

Lieut.  Colonel,  Dec.  4,  1757 


OFFICERS. 

The  Governor, 
John  Armstrong, 
Hugh  Mercer, 
Patrick  Work, 
George  Armstrong, 
Edward  Ward, 
Robert  Callender, 
James  Patterson, 
John  N.  Weatherholt, 
Patrick  Davis, 
William  Armstrong, 
James  Potter, 
John  Prentice, 
James  Hynd  Shaw, 
Thomas  Hutchins, 
Henry  Griger, 
Nicholas  Conrad, 
William  Blyth, 
James  Hughes, 


Major, 
Captain, 

do 
Captain, 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 


Mch  23, 1759-60 
Dec.  12, 1757 
Dec.  13, 1757 
Dec.  15, 1757 
Dec.  16, 1757 
Dec.  19, 1757 
Dec.  22, 1757 
Dec.  24, 1757 
Feb.  17, 1759 
May  12, 1759-60 


Captain  Lieutenant,  May  15, 1759-60 

L't.  and  Q'rmaster,   Dec.  18, 1757 

Lieutenant,  Dec.  21, 1757 

do  Dec.  22, 1757 

do  Dec.  24,1757 

do  Mch  17, 1759-60 


179 


OFnCERS. 

BANK. 

DATES  OF  COMMISSION. 

Kobert  Anderson, 

Lieutenant, 

Mch  18, 1759-GO 

Joseph  Halkner, 

do 

May  14, 1759-60 

George  Craigliead, 

do 

May  15, 1759-60 

Joseph  Quicksale, 

do 

May  16, 1759-60 

John  Lytle, 

do 

May  27, 1759-60 

John  Philip  DeHaas, 

do 

May  19, 1759-60 

Edmond  Matthews, 

do 

May  20, 1759-60 

Thomas  Haip, 

Ensign, 

Dec.   2,1757 

John  Kennedy, 

do 

Dec.  13, 1757 

Hugh  Crawford, 

do 

Mch  11, 1758-9 

Fred'k  Von  Homback 

,     do 

Ap'l  2,1758-9 

Conrad  Butcher, 

do 

Ap'l  11, 1758-9 

Samuel  Montgomery, 

do 

Jan'y  1, 1759 

James  Pyper, 

do 

Mch  18, 1759-60 

Caspar  Stadler, 

do 

Mch  20, 1759-60 

Orndt, 

do 

May  10, 1759-60 

Andrew  Wilker, 

do 

May  11, 1759-60 

A  List  of  the  Ojfficcrs  of  the  Second  Battalion  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment,  June,  1760. 


officers'  names. 

BANK. 

DATES  OF  COMMISSION. 

Jaraes  Burd, 

Col.  Command' t, 

Jan'y    2,  1758 

Thomas  Lloyd, 

Lieut.  Colonel, 

Feb'y  22,  1758 

Joseph  Shippen, 

IMajor, 

May    28,  1758 

Jacob  Orndt, 

Captain, 

Dec'r  10,  1757 

David  Jameson, 

do 

Dec'r  11,  1757 

John  Hambright, 

do 

Dec'r  14,  1757 

Levi  Trump, 

do 

Dec'r  17,  1757 

Jacob  Morgan, 

do 

Dec'r  18,  1757 

Asher  Clayton, 

do 

Jan'y    9,1758 

180 


officers'  names. 

RANK. 

BATES    OF  COMMISSION. 

Thomas  Smallman, 

Captain, 

M'ch  23,  1759-00 

Samuel  Atlee, 

do 

May    13,  1759-60 

Charles  Broadhcad, 

do 

May    14,  1759-60 

Jacob  Thearn, 

Lieutenant, 

Dec'r  11,  1757 

Samuel  Humphreys, 

do 

Dec'r  11,  1757 

William  Patterson, 

do 

Dec'r  12,  1757 

Samuel  Miles, 

do 

Dec'r  14,  1757 

Joseph  Scott, 

do 

Dec'r  15,  1757 

Patrick  Allison, 

do 

Dec'r  16,  1757 

Alexander  McKee, 

do 

Dec'r  17,  1757 

William  Clapham, 

do 

Jan'y    9,  1758 

John  Morgan, 

do 

April    1,  1758 

Caleb  Graydon, 

do 

Nov'r28,  1758 

Edward  Biddle, 

do 

Feb'y    1,  1758-60 

Henry  Haller, 

do 

May    18,  1759-60 

Adam  Henry, 

En.sign, 

Dec'r    6,  1757 

Francis  Johnson, 

do 

M'ch  10,  1758 

Jacob  Morgan, 

do 

M'ch  12,  1758 

John  Baird, 

do 

M'ch  13,  1758 

Martin  Heister, 

do 

M'ch  16,  1758 

George  Price, 

do 

Nov'r  23, 1758 

David  Clayton, 

do 

Feb'y   1,  1758 

Andrew  Wackerberg,     do 

M'ch  19,  1759-60 

Courshod, 

do 

May    12,  1759-60 

CH.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

PhilacMpliia,  Juhj  10th,  1760. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — I  now  send  you  by  Hinzelman  the  12  lbs. 
chocolate,  and  the  silk  gown  for  my  sister.     The  doctor  says 


181 

he  has  sent  the  court-plaster.  I  shall  look  out  for  a  quar- 
ter cask  of  good  Madeira  wine,  and  another  of  Lisbon,  and 
send  them  up  to  you  by  the  first  good  opportunity. 

As  to  carpets,  I  would  have  you  stay  till  the  fall,  when 
there  will  be  plenty  of  them  imported,  either  in  Snead  or 
Charles  Coxe's  vessels,  from  Italy,  and  they  will  be  much 
better  and  cheaper  than  any  other  sort. 

As  to  the  emphasis.  I  find  fault  with  the  question  that 
is  made  for  an  example.  "  May  a  man  walk  in  at  the  door 
now,"  because  it  is  nonsense  unless  the  emphasis  is  laid  on 
the  word  ^hioi'j,"  at  least  that  word  is  useless,  and  vain, 
unless  the  emphasis  was  meant  to  be  laid  on  it. 


EDWARD   SHIPPEN,  OF   LANCASTER,  TO  COLONEL    BURD,  AT 
FORT   riTT. 

Lancaster,  July  25th,  1760. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — Last  night  I  had  the  pleasure  to 
receive  your  very  agreeable  favor  of  the  15th  instant,  which 
is  the  only  one  that  is  come  to  my  hands  since  you  left 
Carlisle,  but  Sally  received  a  letter  last  week,  and  you  may 
be  sure  it  gives  us  joy  to  hear  of  the  regards  paid  you  by 
the  General  in  appointing  you  an  Assistant  Deputy  Quarter 
Master  General,  &c.  I  hope  you  will  be  allowed  something 
,  for  the  years  1758  and  1759.  Good  Colonel  Bouquet,  I 
make  no  doubt  of  itj  has  been  a  good  spoke  in  your  wheel. 
I  am  glad  to  hear  that  he  is  gone  to  Presque  Isle,  but  why 
such  an  amount  for  that  small  place,  which  was  deserted 
last  winter  ?  but  may -be  it  is  for  a  general  rendezvous,  and 
that  Fort  I  suppose  of  the 

Royal  Americans.     I  have  wrote  you  three  or  four  letters 


182 

since  you  sat  oif  from  Carlisle  for  Fort  Pitt,  and  always 
enclosed  the  newspapers,  and  shall  continue  to  send  them 
according  to  my  wonted  custom  ever  since  you  have  been  in 
the  army.  Neddy  is  just  gone  over  to  York  Court,  he 
thinks  there  will  be  no  Spanish  war :  our  connoisseurs  have 
concluded  that  our  noble  sovereign.  King  George,  will  not 
take  part  with  the  King  of  Sardinia. 

Neddy,*  has  taken  my  great  house  at  Thomas  Lane's, 
price  sixty  pounds  per  annum,  because  he  cannot  put  up 
with  Billy  Bingham' sf  house,  and  under  the  sound  of  Bow 
Bell;  though  as  to  the  latter  he  is  not  like  to  be  miich 
better  off,  for  our  parson  Jemmy  and  the  vestry  turning  out 
McClanahan  for  saying  that  Jemmy  preached  nonsense  and 
false  doctrine.  The  Quakers  have  sold  McClanahan's 
friends  a  lot  opposite  to  Thomas  Willing's  for  a  church, 
and  they  must  have  hells  too,  or  things  won't  chime  well. 
T.  Willing  was  so  disturbed  at  this  that  he  talks  of  moving 
away. 


CH.  J.  SIIIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  15th,  1760. 

Honored  Sir  : — There  is  an  Act  of  Parliament  passed 
in  England,  to  authorize  the  sale  of  the  London  Company's 
land  in  this  and  the  neighboring  provinces,  the  money  is  to 
be  lodged  in  the  Bank  of  England,  and  three  years  time 
given  for  those  that  claim  shares  to  make  their  claim. 
Then  they  will   receive   their    shares,  and  the  unclaimed 

*  His  son  Edward. 

f  Father  of  Mr.  Wm.  Bingham,  who  was  afterwards  United  States 
Senator. 


183 

shares  are  to  rcniaiu  in  the  Bank  until  the  year  1770,  and 
then  if  no  persons  can  make  out  a  title  to  them,  they  are 
directly  to  be  paid  for  the  benefit  of  the  Pennsylvania  Hos- 
pital. There  is  a  list  annexed  to  the  Act  of  Parliament, 
(which  now  lies  before  me,)  of  the  names  of  the  persons 
who  appear  to  have  shares  in  the  Company  books,  and  I 
observe,  Thomas  Story  is  set  down  as  the  owner  of  102 
shares.  The  whole  number  of  shares  are  5119,  so  that 
computing  the  estate  to  be  worth  £200,000,  (a  moderate 
calculation,)  the  residuary  legatees  of  Thomas  Story  will  get 
about  £1,000  each,  and  our  hospital,  by  the  computation  of 
unclaimed  shares,  will  get  about  £10,000. 


en.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  17th,  1760. 

Honored  Sir  : — I  think  damning  the  re-emitting  Act 
was  quite  right,  notwithstanding  the  wincing  of  "our  people, 
who  would  rather  that  bill  should  have  been  saved,  than  all 
the  rest  put  together.  The  reason  is  plain :  it  gives  them 
the  sole  disposition  of  so  much  public  money,  without  being 
accountable  to  the  Governor  or  anybody  else.  The  reason 
assigned  by  the  Board  of  Trade  for  advising  his  Majesty 
against  passing  that  Act,  is  principally  this  :  that  at  this 
time  there  appeared  no  necessity  for  such  a  re-issue,  as  there 
was  rather  too  large  a  quantity  of  paper  currency  emitted 
by  the  supply  bills,  which  would  be  current  for  some  years 
to  come,  and  this  additional  quantity,  instead  of  being  of 
any  use  as  a  medium  in  commerce;  would  only'  tend  to  de- 


184 

predate  that  already  current.  Beside,  it  is  insinuated  that 
they  have  not  made  the  most  honest  use  of  the  sole  power 
of  disposing  of  public  money,  and  corrupting  the  Governor 
is  mentioned  as  one  instance. 

For  my  part,  I  think  a  medium  ought  to  be  observed 
in  these  cases,  the  Assembly  should  not  have  the  disposal  of 
all  the  public  money,  and  yet  they  should  not  be  without  a 
proper  sum  to  enable  them  to  repel  any  attacks  that  may  be 
made  against  their  just  rights.  I  don't  wish  to  see  the  day 
that  we  shall  be  at  the  mercy  of  the  proprietor.  This  puts 
me  in  mind  of  a  rap  over  the  knuckles  that  this  great  man 
has  got  in  the  report  above  mentioned,  in  which,  after 
reproving  our  Assembly  for  their  daring  attempts  to  wrest 
the  prerogatives  of  the  crown,  out  of  the  hand  of  the 
the  government ;  it  is  charged  upon  the  proprietor  that  he 
has  shamefully  suffered  their  people  from .  time  to  time,  to 
succeed  in  these  attempts,  and  notwithstanding  he  was 
trusted  by  the  crown  with  the  powers  of  government  in  the 
country,  and  was  accountable  to  the  crown  for  the  infringe- 
ment of  any  of  its  rights,  yet  he  has  acted  so  narrow  and 
contracted  a  part,  as  never  once  to  complain  of  these  people 
to  his  Majesty,  till  his  own  private  property  and  interest 
was  struck  at. 

I  shall  send  the  tea  by  the  stage. 

I  hope  you  received  my  letter,  containing  a  copy  of  Joe's 
letter  from  Leghorn. 

Mr.  Allen  has  just  received  a  letter  from  Messrs.  Jackson 
&  Rutherford,  merchants,  in  Leghorn,  to  whom  Joe  and 
Johnny  Allen  were  recommended.  They  let  him  know  our 
cargo  of  sugars  is  come  to  a  good  market,  that  the  ship  is 
obliged  to  perform  quarantine  for  a  fortnight  on  account  of 
her  having  called  at  Gibraltar,  but  that  on  another  account 


185 

the  calling  there  has  been  of  great  use,  as  it  gave  her  the 
benefit  of  a  convoy,  without  which,  in  all  likelihood,  she 
would  have  been  taken,  the  French  privateers  at  that  time 
swarming  in  the  Mediterranean.  This  last  circumstance, 
however,  we  kept  a  secret,  because  the  underwriters  would 
exact  an  unreasonable  premium  on  the  voyage  back  if  they 
knew  it.  I  have  wrote  to  New  York  to  know  their  premium ; 
when  I  get  an  answer,  I  shall  either  insure  there  or  here 
immediately.  The  gentlemen  further  write,  that  as  soon  as 
the  confinement  of  the  young  gentlemen  is  over,  they  shall 
take  them  to  their  own  house,  and  take  a  pleasure  in  enter- 
taining them  to  the  best  of  their  power;  they  will  likewise 
introduce  or  recommend  them  to  the  English  Ambassador, 
and  other  persons  of  distinction  in  the  several  places  they 
are  to  visit  in  Italy. 

About  forty  recruits  at  Gcrmantown,  having  broke  open 
a  house  to  recover  some  of  their  brethren,  and  done  some 
other  mischief,  the  militia  got  together  and  siezed  and 
brought  them  all  together,  with  their  Captain,  Kennedy 
Farrell,  to  our  prison. 


CH.  J.  SniPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER, 

Philadelphia  Decemher  3c?,  1760. 

Hon.  Sir  : — I  shall  forward  to  you,  by  the  first  careful 
wagoner,  the  things  sent  by  my  brother  Joe,  for  Mrs.  Burd 
and  Mammy,  viz ;  one  box  of  Vermicelli,  one  box  of  flowers 
(at  the  bottom  of  which  I  have  put  the  garden  seeds  for 
yourself)  and  two  Bologna  saussages.  I  have  got  a  Turkey 
carpet,  which  comes  very  high,  but  there  is  no  more  for  sale, 


186 


SO  that  if  you  have  a  mind  for  a  handsome  Scotch  carpet, 
please  to  send  me  an  account  of  the  size  you  would  have  it, 
and  I  will  buy  one  and  send  it  up.  Those  are  the  sorts  most 
used  here. 


CH.  J.  SniPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

PMladelpMa,  January  \st,  1761. 

Hon.  Sir  : — I  received  your  favor  of  the  29th  ult.  I  was 
at  a  loss  about  sending  your  letter  to  Mr.  Logan,  as  it  was 
accompanied  with  newspapers,  for  which  he  would  be  obliged 
to  pay  a  most  heavy  postage  from  the  Downs  to  London,  as 
all  letters  are  put  into  the  Post-ofl5ce,  in  whatever  part  of 
England  the  vessel  first  stops  at,  and  I  did  not  care  to  send 
the  letter  without  the  papers,  as  I  did  not  know  the  purpose 
of  sending  them ;  so  I  detained  both  till  another  opportunity 
ofi'ered,  that  I  might  in  the  mean  time  know  your  mind. 

The  wine  we  sell  for  £6  10s.  is  a  generous  Malaga,  some 
sweet,  some  dry. .  Mr.  Allen  and  Mr.  Turner  are  both  so 
fond  of  this  kind  of  wine  that  they  have  each  taken  several 
casks  for  their  own  use,  and  say  they  shall  use  no  other  sort 
(in  common)  in  their  families.  If  you  choose  to  have  a 
cask,  I  will  send  you  one  by  the  first  wagon ;  but  at  the 
same  time,  not  to  raise  your  expectations  too  high,  I  must 
inform  you  I  do  not  think  so  highly  of  it  as  these  gentlemen, 
but  it  will  mend  by  age.  As  we  have  a  good  deal  of  this 
wine  on  hand,  I  would  be  glad  of  your  opinion,  whether,  if 
we  should  send  forty  or  fifty  quarter  casks  to  Lancaster,  we 
should  be  able  to  get  them  off  at  the  above  price  with 
charges  of  carriage. 


187 

You  desire  to  know  whether  this  sort  of  wine  is  commonly 
to  be  had  so  cheap  as  I  mentioned.  I  suppose  you  mean  at 
the  place  we  bought  them  from.  I  believe  the  price  we 
gave  is  as  high  as  ever  they  are,  either  in  war  or  peace  :  but 
the  diflSculty  of  the  trade  lies  in  this,  that  we  have  no 
commodity  of  this  country's  growth  that  will  answer  to  send 
to  that  part  of  the  world,  except  once  in  five  or  six  years, 
there  should  be  a  scarcity  of  grain  in  Europe. 

We  have  an  account  by  a  vessel  from  Bristol  into  New 
York,  that  our  good  old  King  died  of  an  apoplexy,  on  the 
25th  October,  and  that  King  George  the  Third  was  pro- 
claimed at  Bristol,  the  27th.  Though  this  account  does  not 
come  authoritatively,  and  so  is  not  mentioned  in  the  news- 
papers, yet  there  is  no  doubt  of  the  truth  of  it.  The  roads 
have  been  so  bad  that  no  wagons  have  oifered,  by  which  I 
could  send  the  things  I  mentioned  to  you  in  a  former  letter, 
among  which  is  some  citron  from  Miss  Betsy  Anderson. 


RICHARD  PETERS  (SECRETARY)  TO   EDWARD  SHIPPEN,  ESQ., 
AT  LANCASTER. 

Pliiladelphiaf  March  19^A,  1761. 

Dear  Sir  : — You  will  see  a  proclamation  in  the  paper 
for  raising  three  hundred  men,  of  which  Colonel  Burd  is  to 
have  the  command.  Yesterday  arrived  dispatches  from 
Secretary  Pitt,  with  orders  to  raise  more  men,  for  a  certain 
expedition  which  does  not  transpire.  The  Assembly  is 
called  on  in  these  despatches  to  meet  the  2d  of  April. 
Send  this  letter  and  the  one  enclosed  to  Colonel  Burd, 
wherever  he  is,  that  he  may  come  here  and  receive  his  com- 


188 

mission.  In  the  meantime,  he  will  beat  up  for  volunteers, 
and  get  all  he  can.  The  Governor,  Mr,  Allen,  Mr.  Chew 
and  myself  are  going,  on  Saturday,  to  Newtown,  in  Mary- 
land. We  shall  return  the  31st  inst.,  or  as  soon  as  the 
weather  will  permit  after  that  day.  On  the  2d  of  April,  I 
would  have  Col.  Burd  in  town.  One  packet  is  taken,  an- 
other missing,  above  three  hundred  privateers  of  the  enemy 
on  our  English  coast.  This  accounts  for  your  not  hearing 
from  your  son,  nor  I  from  Mr.  Allen. 

All  is  war,  and  the  most  violent  war,  in  Europe. 


RICHARD  PETERS    (.SECRETARY)   TO   COL.    BURD,    OF    THE 
PENNSYLVANIA  FORCES. 

Philadelphia,  June  bth,  1761. 

Dear  Sir: — The  Governor  strictly  charges  and  com- 
mands you,  to  give  it  in  order,  that  every  officer  do  duty 
according  to  the  seniority  of  his  rank  last  year.  He  de- 
sires you  will  settle  the  dates  of  the  commissions,  and  with 
the  strictest  regard  to  each  officer's  rank.  If  this  be  not 
agreed  to,  he  will  issue  new  commissions,  according  to  the 
dates  you  shall  send. 

Enclosed  are  four  commissions ;  two  to  you,  a  colonel's 
and  a  captain's  commission,  and  two  blank  ones  for  your 
lieutenant  and  ensign ;  for  the  fees  whereof  you  will  be 
accountable.     I  heartily  wish  you  health  and  happiness. 


180 
EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  JAS.  BURD,  AT  FORT  PITT. 

Xjoncaster,  Saturday,  October  Zd,  1761. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — This  ackuowledges  the  receipt  of 
your  kind  letter,  per  nOtre  hon  ami,  Capt.  Young,  both 
which  inform  us  of  your  good  health  and  of  Col.  Bou- 
quet's, and  the  rest  of  our  good  friends  at  Fort  Pitt,  to 
whom  I  beg  my  respectful  compliments- 
No  other  news  stirring,  than  that  everybody  thinks  we 
are  at  the  eve  of  peace.  All  Canada,  and  the  country  down 
as  far  as  Louisiana,  but  not  Louisiana  itself,  to  be  ceded 
to  the  English,  as  also  Minorca;  and  we  are  to  release 
Guadaloupe,  and  all  other  conquests,  to  the  French. 

Mr.  Peters  (who  is  now  at  York,  settling  accounts  with 
Mr.  Galloway,  who  kindly  inquired  for  you,)  says  he  thinks 
Capt.  Friend,  in  whose  ship  Col.  Shippen  is  expected,  waits 
for  a  convoy. 

Mr.  Peters  says  we  are  to  have  twelve  battalions  kept  up, 
to  garrison  the  Forts  at  Halifax,  Quebec,  Oswego,  Niagara, 
Presqu'  Isle,  Venango,  Detroit,  and  Fort  Pitt,  &c.,  &c. 
The  Governor  and  the  Assembly  broke  up  in  a  very  friendly 
manner;  and  of  the  £50,000  or  £60,000  sterling  in  Mr. 
Franklin's  hands,  given  us  by  the  Government,  £3,000  cur- 
rency is  given  to  the  Hospital;  £1,300  currency  to  be  paid 
to  Mr.  John  Hughes  for  copying  the  proprietor's  papers, 
which  that  scribe  says  is  too  little,  by  a  great  deal ;  and  the 
remainder  is  to  be  drawn  for  in  bills  of  exchange,  and  the 
paper  money  received  for  them  to  be  immediately  burnt ; 
which  will  not  only  keep  up  the  credit  of  our  paper  money, 
but  ease  the  people  much  in  their  taxes.  I  desire,  God 
willing,  to  set  out  next  Monday  for  the  Jerseys,  which  will 
cost  me  a  week,  if  not  ten  days. 


190 

I  hear  nothing  as  yet  of  the  Governor  and  Assembly's 
determination  as  to  Fort  Augusta,  but  imagine  they  will  not 
let  it  drop. 

I  am  sorry  to  hear  the  French  privateers  have  been  so 
thick  on  our  coast,  and  also  on  the  banks  of  Newfound- 
land. Col.  Byrd*  is  in  Philadelphia.  Enclosed  are  both 
the  newspapers. 


COL.  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  Feb.  VJth,  1762. 

Dear  Brother  : — I  received  your  kind  congratulatory 
letter,  upon  my  arrival  among  my  friends,  with  pleasure, 
and  return  you  my  sincere  thanks.  Permit  me,  in  my 
turn,  to  give  you  joy  on  your  safe  return  from  the  wilder- 
ness to  your  family,  after  so  long  an  absence.  I  have  no 
reason  to  doubt  that  you  found  both  our  good  families  in 
the  midst  of  health  and  plenty ;  it  would  give  me  great  sa- 
tisfaction, if  I  was  able  to  participate  with  you  in  the  happi- 
ness you  enjoy  in  their  good  company. 

I  am  too  much  engaged  with  the  Governor  and  Assembly 
noWjf  to  write  you  at  length;  I  have  only  time  to  tell  you 
that  the  Governor  has  just  received  letters  from  the  Earl 
of  Egremont,  (the  principal  Secretary,)  from  Mr.  Pitt,  and 
Sir  Jeffrey  Amherst,  making  a  requisition  of  1800  troops 
to  be  raised  by  the  Province,  for  the  ensuing  year ;  and  his 
Honor  has  in  consequence  made  that  demand  of  the  Assem- 
bly ;  but  as  several  of  the  country  members  have  leave  of 

*0f  Westover. 

f  January  2,  1762,  Col.  Sliippen  was  appointed  Secretary  to  the 
Province.     Gordon,  394. 


191 

absence,  and  are  gone  home,  the  House  has  proposed  to 
make  a  short  adjournment  before  they  proceed  upon  that 
business ;  though  this  is  not  agreeable  to  the  Governor's 
mind. 

We  have  a  very  straight  account  from  Antigua,  told  us 
by  Capt.  Phoenix,  who  is  an  honest,  intelligent  man,  that 
the  King  of  Prussia  and  Prince  Henry  had  gained  a  com- 
plete victory  over  Marshal  Daun's  army,  in  which  the  latter 
lost  about  20,000  men,  killed  and  taken,  180  pieces  of  can- 
non, and  300  wagons,  &c.  &c.  This  he  assures  us  he  read 
in  the  Grazette,  brought  in  a  packet  to  Antigua,  and  that 
Governor  Thomas  had  ordered  rejoicings  to  be  made  on  that 
account,  which  he  was  present  at. 

Cousin  Nancy  was  married  to  Mr.  Francis  on  Monday, 
the  8th  instant. 

P.  S.  The  Assembly  have  adjourned  till  the  8th  of 
March. 


WM.  ALLEN,  ESQ.,  TO  COL.  BURD,  IN  LANCASTER, 

Philadelphia,  July  \^th,  1762. 

Dear  Sir  : — Your  letter,  with  the  piece  of  ore,  together 
with  that  of  the  5th  instant,  I  have  had  the  pleasure  to  re- 
ceive. The  ore  is  not  copper,  but  iron,  consequently  of  lit- 
tle value.  I  had  a  good  deal  of  conversation  with  Job 
Chelloway,  the  Indian,  at  Easton.  He  seems  confident  that 
there  is  a  good  lead  mine  between  Tulpehockon  and  Au- 
gusta, and  that  he  can  procure  the  Indians  to  discover  it.  I 
wish  you  would  speak  to  him  on  that  subject,  in  order  to 
have  the  discovery  made,  and  should  be  glad,  if  you  think 


192 

there  is  any  truth  in  the  Dutch  woman's  account  of  the  lead 
mine  near  Augusta,  that  you  would,  at  your  leisure,  take 
some  steps  to  find  it  out.  If  you  will  send  me  down  some 
pieces  of  the  crystal,  I  shall  inquire  about  the  value ;  except 
it  is  clear  of  flaws,  it  is  of  little  worth. 

I  presume  you  will  be  desired  by  the  merchants  of  this 
place,  to  examine  the  west  branch  of  the  Susquehanna, 
having  heard  that  they  have  applied  to  the  Governor  to 
procure  it  to  be  done. 


COL.  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  Friday,  Sept.  2^ih,  1762. 

Dear  Brother  : — I  am  now  to  inform  you,  by  the  Go- 
vernor's desire,  (who  is  himself  sick  and  keeps  his  bed,) 
that  you  are  appointed  (with  Mr.  Davenport,  at  Fort  Pitt) 
by  the  Governor  and  Commissioners,  to  go  up  to  Pittsburg 
to  receive  the  prisoners,  &c.  I  give  you  this  information 
now  by  the  post,  that  you  may  begin  immediately  to  pre- 
pare for  your  journey.  Mr.  Peters,  by  the  Governor's  de- 
sire, is  to  draw  up  this  day  such  instructions  as  will  be  ne- 
cessary for  you  in  the  management  of  the  business  upon 
which  you  go,  and  he  will  forward  them  to  you  without  de- 
lay. In  the  meantime,  he  desires  that  you  will  write  to 
some  person  near  Fort  Loudon,  or  about  Shippensburg,  to 
provide  a  good  wagon  and  team  to  transport  all  goods,  &c., 
which  lie  at  Fort  Loudon,  to  Pittsburg.  This  wagon  should 
be  ready  by  the  time  you  arrive  there,  that  you  may  see  the 
goods  carefully  put  in  it. 

Mr.  Peters  desires  me  to  tell  you  that  he  is  ashamed  he 
has  neglected  to  send  you  the  £50  he  borrowed  of  you ;  he 
thought  Mr.  Hockley  would  have  sent  it  to  you  while  he 
was  at  New  Castle  last  week  ;  however,  he  says  he  will  send 


103 

it  to  you  with  your  instructions.  The  Governor  and  Com- 
missioners will  put  £500  into  your  bands  at  first,  to  defray 
the  expenses,  &c.  attending  the  department  you  arc  ap- 
pointed to. 

COL.  SniPPEN  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  Septemher  9lh,  1762. 

Dear  Brotber  : — I  have  now  the  pleasure  to  congratu- 
late you  on  the  most  agreeable  news  of  a  victory  gained  by 
Prince  Ferdinand  over  the  French  army,  commanded  by  the 
Marshals  D'Estrees  and  Soubize,  the  particulars  of  which 
you  will  see  in  this  day's  paper.  May  God  grant  a  continu- 
ance of  such  glorious  successes,  with  which  the  British 
nation  has  been  so  remarkably  blessed,  till  France  and 
Spain  shall  be  convinced  that  it  is  their  interest  to  give  us 
an  honorable  and  good  peace. 

The  Governor  had  a  meeting  to-day  with  the  commission- 
ers, to  agree  upon  the  persons  to  go  to  Pittsburgh  to  receive 
the  prisoners,  and  they  all  unanimously  chose  yourself  as 
one,  but  have  not  been  able  to  fix  yet  upon  the  other  to 
accompany  you,  as  Mr.  Logan  finds  that  his  business  and 
family  will  not  permit  him  to  go.  I  suppose  they  will  con- 
clude upon  some  gentleman,  to-morrow  or  next  day,  that  will 
be  agreeable  and  proper  for  the  purpose.  I  mention  this 
because  I  understood  from  you,  that  you  intended  to  set  out 
for  Augusta  next  Monday. 

But  if  you  are  to  go  to  Pittsburgh  and  arc  to  be  there  by 
the  second  day  of  October  next,  which  was  the  day  fixed 
upon  by  the  Governor  at  the  treaty,  I  think  your  journey 
to  Augusta  must  be  deferred,  as  you  cannot  be  back  froin 
thence  in  time  for  the  other  purpose. 
I 


194 

I  am  pleased  you  have  so  good  au  opportunity  of  sending 
Neddy  down.  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  see  him,  and  to 
receive  him  into  my  house.  I  shall  take  particular  care  of 
him  in  every  respect,  and  it  will  be  a  pleasure  to  me  if  I 
can  be  of  use  to  him  in  forwarding  his  education. 


JOHN  SWIFT  TO  LYNFORD  LARDNER,*  ESQ.,  LONDON. 

Philadelphia,  Decemher  Qth,  1762. 

Dear  Sir  : — Mr.  Duch6,f  who  arrived  here  about  a 
week  ago,  brought  us  the  news  of  your  safe  arrival  in 
London,   upon  which   I   heartily   congratulate  you.     Mr. 

*  As  Mr.  Lardner's  name  occurs  several  times  in  these  pages,  it 
may  not  be  amiss  to  insert  the  following  letter : 

JOHN  PENN  TO  LTNFOED  LARDNER,  ESQ. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  have  yours  of  the  6th  November  before  me,  and  am 
glad  you  approve  of  my  brother's  agreement  with  you.  I  heartily 
wish  the  country  may  agree  with  your  health,  and  everything  an- 
swer your  expectation.  I  assure  you,  all  that  you  can  reasonably 
desire  in  my  power,  shall  be  done  to  accomplish  it ;  both  for  the 
great  regard  I  have  for  you,  and  the  expectation  I  have  of  your  dis- 
charging whatever  post  you  may  be  put  in,  with  honor  and  justice. 

I  am  sorry  to  find  the  great  differences  that  have  been  stirred  up 
in  the  Province,  and  hope  they  may  soon  be  determined. 

The  Assembly  have  acted  a  part  that  every  body  here,  of  com- 
mon sense,  is  ashamed  of. 

Your  natural  temper  is  very  happy;  but  if  you'll  let  me  advise 
you,  it  is  to  meddle  or  make  with  either  party  as  little  as  you  can ; 
for  nothing  can  make  a  man  more  uneasy  than  party.  It  robs  him 
of  all  his  quiet,  and  makes  him  go  all  lengths  without  reflection  or 
judgment.  He  hardly  ever  thinks  for  himself,  but  forms  his  opin- 
ions on  the  sentiments  of  others,  who  have  ends  to  serve  he  knows 
not  of.  So  that  in  all  his  actions,  he  is  like  a  puppet,  that's  play'd 
with  wires  we  do  not  see. 

I  shall  be  always  glad  to  hear  from  you,  and  am,  with  best  wishes, 
Your  sincere  friend  and  kinsman, 

JOHN  PENN. 

London,  18ih  March,  1740-41. 

My  brother,  sister.  Miss  Fanny,  and  all  the  family  at  Stanwell, 
are  very  well ;  he,  I  suppose,  will  write  you  by  this  ship,  unless 
you  had  letters  by  Capt.  Wright. 

f  The  Rev.  Jacob  Duchc,  author  of  the  well  known,  perhaps  I 
ought  to  say,  notorious  letter  to  General  Washington. 


195 

Bedford*  informed  me  by  the  same  opportunity,  that  he  saw 
you  the  night  of  your  arrival,  and  that  you  went  into  the 
country  the  next  day,  not  very  well.  I  hope  you  did  not 
continue  long  so.  I  trust  that  your  native  air  will  be  a 
means  of  restoring  you  to  a  better  state  of  health  than  that 
which  you  enjoyed  on  this  side  the  water.  I  assure  you 
I  sincerely  wish  for  your  happiness  and  welfare  in  every 
respect,  and  you  may  depend,  if  occasion  offers,  I  shall  not 
be  unmindful  of  the  trust  you  have  reposed  in  mc  here. 
Mr.  Edwards  has  not  yet  had  occasion  to  consult  much  with 
me  in  regard  to  any  of  your  affairs,  but  should  he  do  it,  he 
will  at  all  times  find  me  very  ready  to  give  my  best  assis- 
tance. I  doubt  not  you  will  hear  from  other  hands  that 
your  friend  Mr.  Petcrsl  was  unanimously  chosen  rector  of 
Christ  Church  a  few  days  ago.  I  don't  recollect  anything 
very  remarkable  that  has  happened  to  any  of  our  friends 
since  you  left  us.  We  are  waiting  just  now  with  great 
impatience  for  the  post  coming  in  from  New  York,  as  we 
have  heard  another  packet  is  arrived  there  from  Falmouth, 
by  whom  we  expect  great  news,  and  I  flatter  myself  I  shall 
be  favored  with  a  line  from  you  which  will  be  very  agreeable. 
Mr.  Bedford  informs  me  he  has  had  great  offers  made  him 
for  the  office,  but  has  so  good  an  opinion  of  me  as  to  believe 
I  shall  do  him  as  much  justice  as  any  other  person,  in 
which  I  shall  not  deceive  him.  If  he  should  say  anything 
to  you  on  the  subject,  I  doubt  not  but  you  will  be  kind 
enough  to  say  what  you  think  you  justly  can,  to  confirm 
him  in  the  good  opinion  he  has  of 

Your  affectionate,  &c. 

Maggy  desires  her  compliments  to  you. 

This  is  the  second  epistle  I  have  troubled  you  with. 

*  Grosvenor  Bedford  of  London, 
f  The  Secretary  to  the  Province. 


196 
JOHN  SWIFT  TO  LYJNFORD  LARDNER,  ESQ.,  LONDON. 

Philadelphia,  Fth.  2Q(h,  1763. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  am  now  to  acknowledge  and  thank  you 
for  your  kind  favor  of  12tli  October,  per  Burden,  (which  I 
received  about  a  fortnight  ago,)  though  the  vessel .  has  not 
yet  got  up  to  town,  being  prevented  by  the  ice.  Our  winter 
was  very  moderate  till  the  last  of  December,  since  which 
time  the  river  navigation  has  been  stopped.  In  January 
there  fell  the  largest  quantity  of  hail  I  ever  knew,  after 
which  there  was  a  little  rain,  and  then  a  hard  frost,  which 
made  a  solid  body  of  ice,  with  which  the  country  has  been 
and  is  covered  to  this  day. 

How  can  you  talk  of  being  under  obligations  to  me  ?  I 
shall  think  myself  very  happy  if  it  would  be  in  my  power 
to  render  you  any  service  during  your  absence ;  but  the 
most  I  can  do  will,  in  my  estimation,  be  but  a  drop  in  the 
sea,  compared  to  what  I  owe  you  for  so  cheerfully  and  kindly 
taking  upon  you  to  answer  for  my  good  conduct  in  the  office 
I  now  enjoy. 

I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Bedford,  dated  9th  of  October 
last,  which  lays  me  under  the  necessity  of  asking  a  further 
favor  of  you,  which  I  flatter  myself  you  will  comply  with. 
The  bonds  you  were  so  kind  as  to  join  with  me  in,  were 
made  out  from  those  given  by  Mr.  Alexander  when  he  had 
the  deputation,  in  one  of  which  I  made  the  penalty  double 
what  it  was  in  his  time,  and  it  seems  the  other  should  have 
been  so  too.  What  Mr.  Bedford  says  relating  to  it  is  as 
follows  : — '  When  I  wrote  to  you  the  12th  ultimo,  by  the 
'  packet,  I  had  not  received  your  bonds  to  the  office  and  to 
'  myself,  but  having  now  got  them,  1  find  that  the  bond  to  me 
'  is  only  for  £500,  which  should  -have  been  double,  in  cou- 
'  sideration  of  the  increased  engagement  and   the  possible 


197 

'  chance  of  a  seizure  to  the  value.  I  Jo  not  mention  this 
'  from  the  least  imagination  that  you  are  only  to  be  bound 
'  by  the  penalties,  but  because  both  you  and  I  arc  to  have 
'executors.'  This  I  think  seems  very  reasonable,  and  there- 
fore have  sent  him  by  this  opportunity  another  bond,  which, 
if  you  will  be  kind  enough  to  put  your  name  to,  and  see 
the  first  cancelled,  I  shall  esteem  it  as  a  great  addition  to 
the  favors  you  have  already  done  me.  I  have  told  Mr. 
Bedford  that  I  thought  you  would  be  kind  enough  to  call  on 
him  for  this  purpose.  I  must  likewise  inform  you,  that  in 
this  bond,  I  have  made  an  addition  to  the  sum  I  was  to  allow 
Mr.  Bedford,  and  have  now  made  it  three  hundred  pounds 
per  annum,  which  I  think  will  not  be  too  much,  as  I  find  it 
turns  out  better  than  I  expected.  I  hope  the  freedom  I 
take  with  you  on  this  occasion,  will  induce  you  to  believe 
that  you  cannot  give  me  a  greater  pleasure  than  b}^  laying 
your  commands  on  me,  if  you  should  ever  have  occasion  for 
any  services  that  I  can  do  you.  Your  family  are  all  well ; 
I  often,  call  in  to  inquii'e  after  them.  I  think  you  were 
very  lucky  in  meeting  with  two  persons,  so  suitable  for 
taking  care  of  your  affairs  in  your  absence,  as  Mr.  Edwards 
and  Mr.  Hall. 

My  wife  desires  her  compliments  to  you.     I  hope  you 
will  keep  your  resolution  of  returning  hither  this  spring, 
because  I  shall  be  extrenjply  glad  to  see  you,  and  am 
Your  affectionate,  &c. 


JOHN  SWIFT  TO  LYNFORD  LARDNER,  LONDON. 

PMladdphia,  April  2Q(7i,  1763. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  did  myself  the  pleasure  of  writing  you  a 
long  letter  the  26th  February,  per  the  Ann,  Capt.  McClure, 


198 

via  Liverpool,  since  which  I  have  been  favored  with  yours 
of  7th  January,  from  the  "  land  of  pleasure,"  as  you  call  it, 
for  which  I  am  much  obliged  to  you,  and  cannot  omit  this 
opportunity  of  letting  you  know  it ;  because,  notwithstand- 
ing you  say  you  intend  embarking  in  March  or  April,  I  am 
persuaded  this  will  find  you  there  in  June  or  July.  The 
appearance  of  a  new  spring  will  have  such  ravishing  charms, 
that  I  prophecy  you  will  not  have  power  to  stir  one  step  till 
you  have  had  a  full  enjoyment  of  them;  and  for  twenty 
reasons  that  I  could  give,  I  think  it  will  be  impossible  for 
you  to  leave  England  till  the  fall.  And  why  would  you  hurry 
yourself  ?  Your  children  are  all  in  good  health  and  well 
taken  care  of.  Indeed,  if  your  presence  here  be  necessary 
on  any  account,  it  is  that  as  to  which  a  few  months  can 
make  no  great  difference. 

So  much  for  business.  Now  let  me  surprise  you  with  a 
little  piece  of  news.  Our  friend,  John  Bell,  was  married 
last  Wednesday  night  to  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Geo.  Smith,  who 
lately  became  a  widow.  What  else  shall  I  say  ?  I  can 
think  of  nothing  strange  that  would  give  you  pleasure,  and 
therefore  will  conclude  with  telling  you  that  all  your  old 
friends  and  acquaintances  are  well,  and  will  be  very  glad  to 
see  you  here  again.  My  good  wishes  you  may  be  assured 
will  ever  attend  you,  because  I  am 

Your  affectionate,  &c. 


GOVERNOR   JAMES    HAMILTON   TO    COLONEL   BURD,    AT 
LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  June  2d,  1763. 

Sir:  —  I  was  favored  with  your  letter  of  the  19th  of 
May,  enclosing  your  returns,  and  the  state  of  the  garrison 


l'J9 

at  Augusta,  and  also  informing  mc  of  the  arrival  and  set- 
tlement of  ten  or  twelve  families  of  New  England  people 
at  "Wyoming,  and  that  a  great  number  of  others  arc  shortly- 
expected  to  come  thither  on  the  same  design. 

As  it  is  of  great  consequence  to  the  Proprietary,  as  well 
as  to  the  peace  of  the  Province,  to  prevent,  as  much  as 
possible,  all  jealousies  and  suspicions  taking  root  in  the 
minds  of  the  Indians,  that  the  English  intend  to  take  pos- 
session of  their  lands  against  their  consent,  and  without 
having  first  purchased  and  paid  them  for  the  same,  of 
which  they  have,  from  time  to  time,  expressed  their  appre- 
hensions to  us,  I  am  very  desirous  to  do  everything  in  my 
power  to  quiet  their  minds  in  that  regard,  at  least  so  far  as 
regards  these  provinces,  and  consequently  find  myself  under 
a  necessity  of  endeavoring  to  remove  these  intruders,  before 
they  are  too  firmly  established. 

And  as  I  have  a  very  good  opinion  of  your  prudence  and 
discretion,  in  the  conduct  of  anything  committed  to  your 
care,  I  earnestly  desire  that  you  will,  with  Mr.  Thomas 
McKee,  (who,  from  his  knowledge  of  the  Indians,  may  be 
useful  to  you,)  repair  forthwith  to  Wyoming,  and  pursue 
the  instructions  herein  enclosed,  with  regard  to  the  conduct 
you  are  to  use  to  any  persons  you  shall  find  settled  there ; 
and  that  you  may  be  fully  armed  with  all  the  civil  power 
necessary  for  that  purpose,  I  herewith  send  you  a  comis- 
sion,  appointing  you  and  Mr.  McKee  justices  of  the  peace, 
for  the  counties  of  Northampton,  Berks,  and  Lancaster, 
with  a  blank  dedimus  for  qualifying  you,  to  be  filled  up 
with  the  names  of  Mr.  Shippen,  and  of  any  other  person 
you  please ;  and  as  perhaps  this  may  not  find  you  at  Lan- 
castcr^  Mr.  McKee  is  directed  to  call  on  Mr.  Shippen,  to 


200 

furnish  him  with  a  copy  of  the  oaths  which  you  both  will 
take  care  to  subscribe,  aud  transmit  the  same  to  me, 
attested  by  the  person  who  shall  qualify  you.  I  have  had 
much  discourse  upon  this  affair  with  Mr.  Croghan,  who, 
being  deputy  agent  for  Indian  affairs,  gives  his  directions 
to  Thos.  McKee,  and  also  writes  to  Sir  William  Johnson 
these  opinions;  and  as  very  probably  you  will  see  Mr. 
Croghan,  you  may,  in  conference  with  him,  obtain  much 
useful  knowledge  with  regard  to  the  transaction  of  this 
affair. 

I  should  observe  to  you,  that,  Sir  William  Johnson 
having  represented  to  his  Majesty  the  dangerous  tendency 
of  this  Connecticut  intrusion,  his  Majesty  has  been  pleased 
to  signify  to  Sir  Jeffrey  Amherst  and  the  Governor  of  Con- 
necticut his  high  displeasure  at  the  intended  proceedings  of 
these  intruders,  and  to  order  them  to  forbear,  till  a  statement 
of  the  case  can  be  laid  before  him, — aud  the  government  of 
Connecticut,  on  receiving  these  orders  here,  publicly  [pro- 
claimed the  same,]  as  appears  in  an  article  in  the  .New  York 
papers  enclosed  to  you,  which  you  will  show  to  those 
people,  aud  make  the  best  use  of,  to  convince  them  that 
their  own  government  disallows  their  proceedings.  Be 
pleased  to  advance  or  take  up,  on  my  credit,  as  much  money 
as  you  shall  judge  necessary  for  the  hire  and  subsistence  of 
such  persons  as  you  shall  employ  on  this  occasion,  which  I 
shall  cheerfully  pay,  upon  its  being  made  known  to  me.  I 
have  only  further  to  recommend  to  you  prudence  and 
dispatch,  in  the  execution  of  my  written  instructions,  and 
to  assure  you  that,  in  so  doing,  you  will  very  sensibly  oblige 
one  who  is,  sir,  &c. 


201 


COL.  snirrEN  to  col.  burd,  at  fort  augusta. 

Lancaster,  June  14<7i,  1763. 

Dear  Brother  : — I  am  this  moment  arrived  licre  from 
Philadelphia,  with  instructions  from  the  Governor  to  raise 
a  number  of  volunteers,  to  reinforce  Fort  Augusta  without 
delay,  in  consequence  of  the  intelligence  you  sent  to  his 
Honor  by  the  express.  I  am  furnished  for  that  purpose 
with  blank  commissions  and  beating  orders,  which  I  am  to 
fill  up  with  the  names  of  such  persons  as  I  shall  judge  best 
capable  of  raising  the  recruits  in  the  most  expeditious  man- 
ner. Your  company  is  to  be  completed  to  sixty  men,  in- 
cluding officers ;  and  another  company  of  the  same  number 
of  men  and  officers  is  to  be  raised  immediately,  so  as  to 
make  the  garrison  at  Augusta  one  hundred  and  twenty  men 
strong.  Arms,  ammunition,  and  three  months  provisions, 
will  be  sent  off  from  Philadelphia  this  day  for  Harris's, 
where  I  expect  to  be  to-morrow  night,  after  I  have  called 
upon  Colonel  Work,  to  propose  to  him  to  undertake  this 
recruiting  service,  and  to  commence  the  second  company.  I 
cannot  think  of  any  person  so  proper  for  this  purpose.  He 
is  a  good  officer,  and  well-known  and  esteemed,  and  I 
believe  his  influence  will  be  of  good  use  in  raising  recruits 
expeditiously.  I  am  provided  with  money  and  authority  to 
raise  a  number  of  the  frontier  inhabitants,  to  send  to  the 
relief  of  Augusta,  if  I  find  that,  by  the  intelligence  I 
receive,  to  be  absolutely  necessary  till  the  recruits  can 
bo  raised.  I  shall  send  you  the  express  this  evening,  or 
early  in  the  morning,  with  a  letter  and  belt  from  the 
Governor. 

T* 


202 
THOMAS   PENN    TO    COL.    SHirPEN,    AT   PHILADELPHIA. 

Mr.  Shippen  : — As  Mr.  Ricbard  Peters  has  resigned  the 
offices  he  held  under  us  in  order  to  apply  his  time  priacipitlly 
to  the  duties  of  his  function  as  a  minister,  we  cannot  any 
longer  desire  him  to  receive  and  disburse  the  money  neces- 
sary for  the  service  of  the  commissioners  and  surveyors, 
appointed  for  running  the  lines  between  Maryland  and 
Pennsylvania,  and  we  desire,  in  his  stead,  that  you  will 
undertake  this  service. 

We  have  written  to  Mr.  Hockley  to  supply  you  with 
what  money  you  shall  want  for  that  purpose,  and  desire  you 
will  apply  it  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  most  for  our 
service,  and  send  us  the  accounts  of  your  disbursements 
whenever  we  shall  order  them. 

You  will  observe  any  orders  you  shall  receive  from  the 
commissioners,  and  confer  with  Mr.  John  Penn  on  all  occa- 
sions relating  to  this  business. 

I  am, 

Your  affectionate  friend. 

THOS.  PENN. 
London,  August  lOtJi,  1763. 


TO  the  HONORABLE  JOHN  PENN,  ESQ.,  LIEUTENANT 
GOVERNOR,  iC. 

The  humble  address  of  the  missionaries  of  the  Church  of 
England  in  the  province  of  Pennsylvania. 

May  it  please  your  honor  : — Animated  with  senti- 
ments of  duty  and  respect,  we,  the  missionaries  of  the 
Church  of  England,  in  the  province  of  Pennsylvania,  beg 


203 

leave  to  embrace  this  first  opportunity  our  dispersed  situa- 
tion would  allow  of,  to  be  admitted  witli  our  compliments 
of  congratulation  upon  your  appointment  to  the  administra- 
tion of  this  government,  and  your  safe  arrival  among  us. 
Submission  to  civil  authority  being  essentially  necessary  for 
the  support  of  good  government,  the  Church  of  England 
hath  always  manifested  her  loyalty  to  the  king,  and  all 
those  in  authority  under  him.  Upon  these  principles  it  is 
our  duty  as  well  as  inclination  to  form  our  conduct;  and- 
wc  assure  your  honor,  that  vre  will  as  fiir  as  our  influence 
extends,  contribute  with  cheerfulness  and  zeal  to  impress 
them  upon  the  minds  of  the  people  committed  to  our  care, 
and  to  make  them  sensible  of  the  many  invaluable  blessings 
they  enjoy  in  the  free  exercise  of  their  religion,  and  the 
advantage  of  civil  government  under  the  benign  and  auspi- 
cious religion  of  a  protestant  and  patriot  king.  By  these 
means  we  hope  to  render  ourselves  acceptable  to  your  honor, 
and  to  enjoy  the  continuance  of  that  f.ivor,  which  wo 
happily  experienced  under  your  worthy  and  benevolent  pre- 
decessor. 

Permit  us,  sir,  to  recommend  the  mission  in  this  Province 
to  your  honor's  protection  and  countenance,  and  we  pray 
that  the  Supreme  Governor  of  the  universe  may  support  and 
direct  you  through  all  the  weighty  duties  of  your  high 
station,  and  render  your  administration  an  honor  to  your- 
self, and  a  permanent  felicity  to  the  people  of  Pennsylva- 
nia. 

Signed  by  order  and  on  behalf  of  the  said  missionaries. 
HUGH  NEILE;  Missioiiar?/, 

Oxford. 
December  IG/A,  17G3. 


204 
COL.  SIIirPEN  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  FORT  AUGUSTA. 

Philadelphia ,  February  dth,  17G4. 

Dear  Brother  : — In  the  beginning  of  last  March,  I 
received  your  favor  of  the  19th  ultimo,  enclosing  the  re- 
ceipts of  the  bullock-drivers  and  batteau-men.  I  should  have 
returned  an  answer  before  now,  but  was  prevented  by  the 
great  disturbances  made  here  by  the  approach  of  seven  hun- 
dren  armed  men,  near  to  this  city,  with  a  design  to  destroy 
the  Indians  in  the  barracks.  The  whole  city  was  under 
arms  three  days,  with  a  determination  to  support  Govern- 
ment, and  defend  their  liberties  and  laws.  The  rioters 
rendezvoused  at  Germantown,  where  Mr.  Chew,  Mr.  Frank- 
lin, Mr.  Galloway  and  Mr.  Willing  went  to  confer  with 
them,  and  demand  their  reasons  for  assembling  in  arms  and 
approaching.  They  continued  with  them  several  hours,  and 
happily  settled  the  affair,  so  that  they  agreed  to  return 
peaceably  to  their  homes,  leaving  three  of  their  principals 
behind,  to  lay  an  humble  petition  of  their  grievances  before 
the  Governor  and  Assembly.  I  intended  to  give  you  all 
the  particulars  of  these  affairs,  but  have  not  time,  and  refer 
you  to  my  letter  to  my  father,  when  you  see  him.  I  men- 
tioned the  substance  of  your  letter  to  the  Governor,  and  he 
readily  granted  you  liberty  to  come  down  to  settle  your  pri- 
vate affairs  as  soon  as  you  please,  and  desired  me  to  write 
you  this,  but  says  Capt.  Graydon  must  command  at  Augusta 
in  your  absence. 


SAMUEL  PURVIANCE,  JR.,  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  Septemher  IQth,  1764. 

Dear  Sir  : — The  news,  which  I  brought  from  Lancaster, 
of  the  Quakers  and  Mcnnonists  having  made  a  powerful  party 


205 

to  thwart  the  steps  your  friends  have  so  vigorously  pur- 
sued of  late  for  thrusting  out  of  the  Assembly  those  mcm- 
bera,  who  have  lately  endangered  our  happy  constitution  by 
their  precipitate  measures,  has  given  great  concern  to  all 
your  friends  here,  and  very  much  damped  our  hopes,  which 
were  very  sanguine,  that  there  could  be  no  danger  of  carry- 
ing the  election  in  the  county  to  our  wishes.  This  unfavor- 
able prospect  has  induced  several  gentlemen  here  to  think 
that,  in  order  to  prevent  our  being  defeated  at  so  critical  a 
time,  when  measures  are  taken  to  bring  about  a  general 
change  through  the  whole  Province,  it  will  be  expedient 
to  fall  on  some  alteration  of  the  ticket  lately  proposed  by  a 
few  leading  friends,  and  submitted  to  consideration,  for 
alteration  or  amendment,  against  the  borough  election,  viz., 
to  put  in  Ernani  Carpenter,  Dr.  Adam  Kuhn,  or  Jacob 
Carpenter  and  Isaac  Saunders,  and  John  Hays,  or  An- 
drew Work.  The  design  is,  by  putting  in  two  Germans, 
to  draw  such  a  party  of  them  as  will  turn  the  scale  in  our 
favor;  and  though  by  such  a  measure  we  must  reject  Mr. 
Ross,  yet  I'm  persuaded  he  has  too  much  regard  for  the 
public  good  to  be  offended  at  such  a  measure,  when  taken 
purely  to  defeat  the  views  of  our  antagonists,  and  not 
through  any  disrepect  to  him.  It  would  be  equally  agree- 
able, if  Mr.  Ross  came  in  place  of  any  of  the  Irish,  but  as 
their  interest  must  be  much  stronger  than  his,  it  would  be 
imprudent  to  offend  them  by  rejecting  one  of  their  pro- 
.  posing.  I  wish  the  unhappy  contests  about  Sheriff  could 
be  reduced  to  two  competitors,  on  our  side  (suppose  Colonel 
Work  and  Samuel  Anderson) ;  it  would  unite  our  friends 
to  act  with  more  spirit,  and  prevent  their  hurting  the  pub- 
lic cause.  Our  friends  in  Chester  county  are  very  sanguine 
in  hopes  of  carrying  the  election,  and  we  scarce  admit  a 


206 

doubt  of  it  here.  We  are  this  day  taking  measures  for  Bucks 
county,  and  hope  to  make  a  strong  interest.  Franklin  and 
Galloway,  or  at  least  one  of  them,  will  be  run  in  Bucks,  it 
is  said. 

Last  night,  Jno.  Hunt,  a  famous  Quaker  preacher,  arrived 
from  London,  in  order,  it  is  believed,  to  give  Friends  a  rap 
on  the  knuckles  for  their  late  proceedings;  and,  it  is  said,  a 
brother  of  the  famous  Fothergill  will  immediately  follow  on 
the  same  errand,  though  their  great  sticklers  have,  by  num- 
berless falsehoods,  propagated  a  belief  that  their  friends  at 
home  highly  approve  their  measures.  You  may  communi- 
cate this  to  any  of  your  friends. 

I  am,  &c. 


COL.    SHIPPEN    TO    COL.    BURD,    AT   LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  October  Qth,  1764. 

Dear  Brother  : — I  received  your  favor  by  Mr.  Hay, 
and  am  extremely  pleased  to  find  that  you  have  succeeded 
so  far  with  your  election  as  to  keep  in  Mr.  Saunders,  having 
heard  there  was  a  great  probability  of  his  being  left  out.  ' 

I  am  in  great  hopes  Wright  and  Carpenter  will  acquiesce 
in  the  measures  of  our  new  assembly,  since  we  have  had  the 
good  fortune  to  exclude  Franklin,  Galloway,  Rhodes,  and 
Evans;  and  in  their  room  have  put  in  Messrs.  Willing, 
Bryan,  Stretle,  and  Kej^pele. 

This  change,  in  our  representatives  here,  has  caused  the 
greatest  dejection  of  pj^irits  in  those  of  the  Quaker  party  and 
their  friends. 

Thos.  Barr  and  Slough  may  have  acted  a  political  part 
in  the  election,  that  they  might  succeed  themselves,  yet  the 


207 

Governor  has  been  well  assured  by  several  gentlemen,  that 
they  privately  pushed  Saunders  in  the  tickets  of  many  of 
their  fi'iends,  by  which  means  alone  he  was  kept  in.  How- 
ever this  may  be,  the  Governor  could  not  possibly  think  of 
appointing  the  son  of  a  Quaker  to  be  Sheriff,  who  had 
taken  infinite  pains  in  riding  about  the  country  to  secure  the 
interest  of  the  Germans,  in  favor  of  the  violent  measures  of 
the  late  assembly  against  his  own  family  and  government. 
Barr  indeed  has  a  better  pretence  to  the  Sheriff's  office, 
from  his  having  been  on  the  return  twice  before,  and  now 
highest  in  votes,  and  if  any  objections  arc  made  against 
him,  on  account  of  his  favoring  the  old  ticket,  the  same  are 
to  be  made  against  the  other  in  a  greater  degree,  so  that  the 
appointment  of  Barr  is  approved  of  by  all  the  Governor's 
friends  here  without  exception. 


EDWARD  BURD  TO  HIS  FATHER,  COL.  BURD,  AT  LANCASTER. 

PTuladdphia,   Scptcmher  ISth,  17G5. 

Dear  and  Hon'd  Sir  : — We  have  had  advice  lately  of 
a  joyful  change  in  the  ministry,  for  which  last  night  the 
mob  made  a  bon-fire  and  burnt  an  effig}'^  for  our  stamper,* 
and  surrounded  his  house,  whooping  and  hallooing,  which 
caused  him  to  load  his  arms.  I  heartily  wish  that  you  may 
be  successful  in  the  ensuing  election.  I  believe  the  Quakers 
will  leave  out  Hughes  and  Galloway  this  time.  Some  think 
that  Bucks  will  do  something,  but  that  is  uncertain.  The 
Dutch  express  a  great  detestation  to  Hughes'  party. 

*  Joliu  Iluglics,  the  stamp-tax  collector. 


208 

SAMUEL  rUllVIANCE,  JU.,  OF  nilLADELPHIA,  TO  COL.  BURD, 
AT  LANCASTER, 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  20th,  1765. 

Dear  Sir  : — You  may  possibly  imagine,  from  the  geue- 
ral  silence  with  which  our  political  afiairs  have  been  con- 
ducted this  year,  that  perhaps  we  are  relapsed  again  into 
the  old  passive  humor  of  submitting  the  conduct  of  public 
affairs  to  our  former  State  Pilots ;  and  that,  if  we  at  the 
fountain-head  observe  such  a  conduct,  you  at  a  distance 
should  follow  the  same  non-resisting  plan  of  your  friends  in 
town.  Be  assured,  that  nothing  is  less  thought  of  by  us 
than  such  a  scheme ;  though  matters  go  on  very  quietly,  yet 
everything  is  preparing  for  making  a  vigorous  stand  at  the 
ensuing  election,  and  every  possible  pains  have  been  taken 
to  strengthen  and  cement  our  interest  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  afford  us  good  hopes  of  carrying  every  man  for  both  city 
and  county.  Our  interest  is  greatly  increased  amongst  se- 
veral societies  who  last  year  were  divided  in  their  views, 
and  particularly  strengthened  by  the  opposition  lately  made 
by  John  Hughes  and  his  friends,  against  sending  commis- 
sioners to  attend  the  Congress  at  New  York,  in  order  to  re- 
monstrate home  against  the  Stamp  Act.  This  unpopular 
action  has  greatly  damped  the  Faction,  turned  many  of  their 
warm  friends  out  of  doors  against  them,  and  even  brought 
over  some  of  their  members  in  the  House  to  our  party,  by 
which  means  they  carried  the  vote.  There's  great  reason  to 
hope  this  affair  will  produce  the  same  effects  through  the 
country,  and  open  the  eyes  of  many,  who,  blindly  attached 
to  them  through  party,  must  now  see  what  destructive  mea- 
sures these  pretended  defenders  of  liberty  and  privilege  are 
capable  of  pursuing.     I  met  some  of  our  friends  at  Chester 


209 

Court,  and  there  concerted  some  measures  for  dividing  tbo 
Quaker  interest  in  that  county,  that  our  friends  may  join 
one  party  of  them.  This  scheme  promises  good  success, 
and  will,  I  hope,  be  warmly  pushed  by  our  friends  there. 
I  went  lately  up  to  Bucks  Court,  in  order  to  concert  mea- 
sures for  their  election,  in  pursuance  of  which  we  have  ap- 
pointed a  considerable  meeting  of  the  Germans,  Baptists 
and  Presbyterians,  to  be  held  next  Monday  at  Neshaminy, 
where  some  of  us,  some  Germans  and  Baptists  of  this  place, 
have  appointed  to  attend,  in  order  to  attempt  a  general  con- 
federacy of  the  three  societies  in  opposition  to  the  ruling 
party.  We  have  sent  up  emissaries  among  the  Germans, 
which  I  hope  will  bring  them  into  this  measure,  and  if  it 
can  be  effected,  will  give  us  a  great  chance  for  carrying  mat- 
ters in  that  county.  Could  that  be  carried,  it  would  infalli- 
bly secure  our  friends  a  majority  in  the  House,  and  conse- 
quently enable  them  to  recal  our  dangerous  enemy,  Franklin, 
with  his  petitions,  which  is  the  great  object  we  have  now  in 
view,  and  which  should  engage  the  endeavors  of  all  our 
friends  at  the  approaching  election  to  make  a  spirited  push  for 
a  majority  in  the  Assembly,  without  which  all  our  struggles 
here  will  prove  of  little  service  to  the  public  interest.  The 
general  committee  of  our  society  meet  this  day,  and  on  Tues- 
day next  shall  finally  settle  our  ticket,  which  is  now  all  fixed 
but  one  man.  Few  of  your  friends  here  entertain  any  hopes 
of  being  able  to  change  any  of  your  members  this  year, 
after  failing  last  year  in  your  spirited  attempt ;  however,  I 
think  it  mean  to  submit  tamely,  or  without  bearing  the  testi- 
mony against  bad  men  and  bad  measures,  and  was  I  to  stand 
alone,  I  would  vote  against  the  enemies  of  my  country.  If 
you  knew  thoroughly  the  methods  Mr.  Franklin  is  taking 
at  home  to  blacken   and  stigmatise  our  society,  you  would 


210 

perhaps  judge  with  me  that  you  never  had  more  reason  to 
exert  yourselves  in  order  to  overset  him,  which  we  can  only 
do  by  commanding  a  majority  in  the  Assembly.  I  have 
seen  a  letter  lately  from  a  person  of  character,  that  advises 
his  wicked  designs  against  us.  The  little  hopes  of  success, 
as  well  as  the  difficulty  of  engaging  proper  persons  for  the 
purpose,  has  discouraged  me  from  attempting  a  project  recom- 
mended by  some  friends,  of  sending  up  some  Germans  to 
work  upon  their  countrymen.  But  that  no  probable  means 
may  fail,  have  sent  up  some  copies  of  a  piece  lately  printed 
by  Sowers,  of  Germantown,  to  be  dispersed,  and  which  may 
possibly  have  some  effect. 

I  have  just  received  certain  advice  of  a  project  laid  by  the 
Mennonists  to  turn  Mr.  Saunders  out  of  your  ticket — the  only 
good  member  you  have.  I  hope  it  will  inspire  our  people 
with  more  industry  to  keep  him  in.  The  only  plan  I  would 
recommend  to  you,  to  run  Dr.  Kuhn,  or  some  other  popu- 
lar Lutheran  or  Calvinist,  in  Webb's  place.  You'll  please 
to  make  a  discreet  use  of  this  to  any  of  our  friends.  I  am, 
with  best  wishes  for  a  successful  election. 

Dear  sir,  your  and  the  public's  sincere  well  wisher, 

SAM'L  PURVIANCE,  Jr. 

Shall  be  glad  to  know  what  measures  you  resolve  on  as 
soon  as  possible. 

I  beg  no  mention  may  be  made  of  the  author  of  the  en- 
closed. 

Paper  enclosed  in  the  foregoing  Letter. 

As  I  understand  the  Mennonists  have  certainly  resolved  to 
turn  out  Isaac  Saunders  this  year,  though  the  only  good 
member  your  county  has,  I  would  beg  leave  to  offer  to  you 


211 

and  other  friends  the  following  scheme,  as  the  only  probable 
chance,  I  think,  you  have  to  carry  the  election  and  keep  Mr. 
Saunders.  If  the  scheme  is  properly  executed,  and  can  be 
conducted  without  danger  of  a  riot,  I  think  you  could  in- 
fallibly carry  your  ticket  by  it. 

Don't  attempt  to  change  any  of  your  members  save  Webb. 
If  you  can  run  Dr.  Kuhn,  or  any  other  popular  German, 
and  can  keep  Mr.  Saunders,  you  will  do  great  things.  As 
soon  as  your  ticket  is  agreed  on,  let  it  be  spread  through  the 
country,  that  your  party  intend  to  come  well  armed  to  the 
election,  and  that  you  intend,  if  there's  the  least  partiality 
in  either  sheriff,  inspectors,  or  manners  of  the  election,  that 
you  will  thrash  the  sheriff,  every  inspector,  Quaker  and 
Mennonist  to  a  jelly;  and  further,  I  would  report  it,  that  not 
a  Mennonist  nor  German  should  be  admitted  to  give  in  a 
ticket  without  being  sworn  that  he  is  naturalized  and  worth 
£50,  and  that  he  has  not  voted  already ;  and  further,  that  if 
you  discovered  any  person  attempting  to  give  in  a  vote  with- 
out being  naturalized,  or  voting  twice,  you  would  that  mo- 
ment deliver  him  up  to  the  mob  to  chastise  him.-  Let  this 
report  be  industriously  spread  before  the  election,  which  will 
certainly  keep  great  numbers  of  the  Mennonists  at  home.  I 
would  at  the  same  time  have  all  our  friends  warned  to  put 
on  a  bold  face,  to  be  every  man  provided  with  a  good 
shillelah,  as  if  determined  to  put  their  threats  in  execution, 
though  at  the  same  time  let  them  be  solemnly  charged  to 
keep  the  greatest  order  and  peace.  Let  our  friends  choose 
about  two  dozen  of  the  most  reputable  men,  magistrates, 
&c.,  who  shall  attend  the  inspectors,  sheriff  and  clerks  dur- 
ing the  whole  election,  to  mount  guard  half  at  a  time,  and 
relieve  one  another  in  spells,  to  prevent  all  cheating  and  ad- 
minister the  oath  to  every  suspicious  person,  and  to  commit 


212 

to  immediate  punishment  every  one  who  offers  to  vote  twice. 
I'll  engage,  if  you  conduct  the  election  in  that  manner,  and 
our  people  turn  out  with  spirit,  you  can't  fail  of  carrying 
every  man  on  your  ticket,  as  I  am  -well  assured  not  a  third 
of  the  Mcnuonists  are  naturalized.  I  would  submit  this  to 
your  consideration.  If  it's  well  thought  of,  take  your  mea- 
sures immediately.  I  beg  no  mention  may  be  made  of  the 
author  of  this.  I  see  no  danger  in  the  scheme  but  that  of 
a  riot,  which  would  require  great  prudence  to  avoid. 


EDWARD  SIIIPPEN  TO^OL.  SniPPEN,  AT  PHILADELPHIA. 

Lancaster,  Christmas,  1765. 

Dear  Son  :  —  Your  favor  of  the  10th  instant  I  received 
last  Thursday  morning,  enclosing  the  pamphlets,  which 
were  very  acceptable.  I  had  only  seen  a  little  of  that  pub- 
lished by  Mr.  Dulaney,  which  I  have  gone  over  once,  but 
shall  give  it  another  reading  or  two,  it  appearing  to  me  a 
masterly  performance.  I  am  also  pleased  with  the  other, 
of  which  Mr  Dickinson  is  the  reputed  author.  Our  Ameri- 
cans certainly  are  extremely  obliged  to  them  and  the  others, 
who  have  endeavored  to  serve  their  country  in  those  re- 
spects. Colonel  Burd  received  your  letter  on  the  subject  of 
rum,  and  I  think  all  you  said  about  it  very  right.  I  am 
glad  to  understand  that  our  custom-house  offices  are  open ; 
but,  what  will  become  of  our  vessels  and  their  cargoes,  if 
they  should  any  of  them  be  forced  by  any  stress  of  bad 
weather  to  run  to  Barbadoes  ? — for  as  to  the  port  of  London, 
as  madly  as  matters  are  managed  there,  they  will  not  be 
suffered  by  the  manufacturers  to  clap  the  broad  arrow*  on 

*  The  Custom  House  mark. 


213 

their  masts,  because  sucli  a  step  ^YOulJ  stagnate  all  tlicir 
business  at  once,  and  at  the  same  time  ruin  themselves  and 
our  factories.  The  people  in  England,  no  doubt,  pay  large 
taxes;  and  the  only  reason  they  don't  take  our  part  is, 
because  they  have  been  made  to  believe  that  we  are  not  only 
able,  but  the  Stamp  Act  is  so  wisely  framed,  that  will  force 
us  to  bear  at  least  one-half  of  their  burthen.  But  when 
those  people  come  to  be  very  sensible  that  the  act  is  defective, 
and  that  if  we  are  to  be  forced,  it  must  be  done  by  a  mighty 
army  raised  from  among  themselves,  for  the  levying  of 
which  they  must  he  forced  to  open  their  own  purse-strings, 
and  this,  too,  before  they  have  recovered  themselves  from 
the  difficulty  from  which  they  had  to  struggle  with,  in  the 
last  expensive  wars  with  France  and  Spain ;  I  say,  if  they 
should  find  this  to  be  their  forlorn  hope,  they  will  (one 
would  think),  turn  their  backs  upon  the  ministry,  and  cry 
aloud  for  the  stamping  of  the  Stamp  Act  to  death.  Our 
mother  country  should  consider  us  at  least  as  their  hunters 
and  slaves,  as  we  in  fact  are.  They  ought  to  suffer  us  to 
dig  and  delve  in  the  ground,  and  not  only  encourage  us  in 
raising  wheat  and  other  grain,  and  making  iron,  &c.,  but 
give  us  leave  to  send  it  to  any  people  in  the  world  who  will 
give  us  gold  and  silver  for  it,  because  they  know,  by  long 
experience,  it  will  finally  centre  in  the  city  of  London. 

Mr.  Dulaney  remarks,  and  very  justly,  too,  that  the 
British  manufactures  come  dearer,  and  not  so  good  in  quality 
to  America,  as  formerly.  He  might,  with  equal  justice,  have 
gone  further  and  said,  (and  to  Great  Britain's  everlasting 
shame  and  reproach,)  that,  for  these  twenty  or  thirty  years 
past,  they  neither  held  out  their  just  measures  in  width  or 
length — according  to  justice.  Duroys,  for  instance,  are  usu- 
ally sold  in  England  by  the  piece — which  used  to  contain 
twenty-one  yards  in  length,  and  of  a  certain  breadth ;  but. 


214 

every  year  since,  they  have  been  pinched  gradatim,  so  that 
they  have  been  reduced  at  least  to  sixteen  or  seventeen  yards 
in  length,  and  at  least  three  or  four  inches  narrower.     The 
linens,  too,  whether  made  in  England,  or  imported  thither 
from  Ireland  this  year,  hold  out  generally  in  length,  yet  are 
very   deficient  in  breadth.     These   deceitful   methods   are 
very  prejudicial  to  our  shopkeepers,  who  sell  them  out,  the 
Duroys  and  the  like,  by  the  yard — a  piece  falling  short  some- 
times a  yard  or  half  a  yard  of  the  quantity  mentioned  by 
the  merchants ;  and  as  to  the  linens,  when  they  are  asked 
for  a  yard  wide,  if  the  customer,  on  measuring  it,  finds  it  a 
nail  or  two  short,  and  takes  notice  of  it,  then  the  poor  shop- 
keepers answer  that  it  comes  for  yard  wide ;   and  pieces 
marked  seven-eighths  or  three-quarters  of  a  yard  wide,  are 
commonly  wanting  in  proportion.     The  merchants  at  home 
are  blamed  for  this — some  of  them  wanting  to  send  Duroys 
and  other  stuffs  at  a  lower  rate  by  the  piece  than  their 
neighbors.     Honesty   is    certainly   the    best   policy.     The 
French,  our  great  rival  in  trade  and  everything  else,  are  so 
very  exact  in  their  weights  and  measures,  that  they  have 
made  very  severe  laws  against  frauds  of  that  kind.     Our 
Indian  traders  have  often  assured  me  that  they  could  never 
sell  their  half-thicks,  &c.,  in  any  Indian  town  where  Jean 
Coeur,  a  great  trader  from  Canada,  was,  because  his  half- 
thicks  were  always  kept  up  to  their  original  width  and  good- 
ness, whereas  ours  were  deficient  in  both. 

Agreeable  to  his  Honor,  the  Governor's,  instructions  to 
the  magistrates,  suitable  provision  for  the  troops  from  the 
westward  was  made,  of  which  it  certainly  was  my  duty 
and  my  design  to  write  him  j  but  his  letter  was  delivered 
to  Mr.  Webb,  the  barrack-master,  and  I  could  not  get  it 
back  in  time,  and  so  I  beg  you  will  tell  his  Honor  the  rea- 
son, if  he  should  wonder  at  my  silence.     As  to  the  tavern 


216 

licences,  you  sec  by  the  money  and  accounts  sent  you  down 
by  tbe  post,  that  I  managed  that  business  tolerably  well : 
but,  as  to  tbe  marriage  licences,  I  find  the  people  bad  taken 
up  a  mistaken  notion  about  them,  believing  tbey  would  cost 
them  four  or  five  pounds  sterling  a  piece,  till  last  Sunday,  when 
Mr.  Gates  inquiring  of  me  concerning  the  affair,  I  set  the 
matter  right,  and  he  has  undertaken  to  undeceive  his  own 
congregation,  and  I  am  writing  to  the  same  purpose  to  the 
rest  of  the  ministers  in  this  county.  I  am  pleased  with 
your  instruction  of  Neddy  Burd;  I  sent  him  my  old  navi- 
gation book,  (which  I  am  choice  of,  as  it  is  mere  gold 
almost,)  for  him  to  copy  at  his  leisure,  a  little  at  a  time, 
every  morning  or  every  other  morning,  as  you  shall 
judge  best.  I  want  a  small  octavo,  intituled  "Instructions 
for  the  education  of  daughters,"  (as  proper,  I  think,  for 
sons,)  by  Monsieur  Fenelon,  Archbishop  of  Cainbray,  (he 
was  the  author  of  Telemaque,)  translated  from  the  French, 
and  revised  by  George  Hick,  D.  D.,  Glasgow,  printed  and 
sold  by  R.  &  A.  Foulis,  1750.  Mr.  Yeatcs  is  to  inquire 
among  the  gentlemen  of  St.  Andrew's  Club  for  it,  either  in 
French  or  English.  If  he  fails  in  all  these  searches,  I 
must  beg  the  favor  of  Mr.  Luman,  or  Mr.  Bell,  to  send  to 
Scotland  for  it  in  each  language,  but  let  Mr.  Hall  send  for 
them  both  to  London, — for  I  should  not  dislike  it,  if  they 
should  succeed  at  London  and  Glasgow  too. 


GROSVENOR   BEDFORD,   ESQ.,   TO   JOHN   SWIFT, 
PHILADELPHIA. 

London,  February  16^7i,  1767. 

Dear  Swift  : — I  am  now  possessed  of  all  your  favors  by 
Davidson.     The  rum  is  so  smooth  that  it  will  swiftly  slide 


216 

away.     Mark  that !     The   giuger  is  the  best  I  ever  tasted. 
You  have  my  best  thauks  for  them. 

Captain  Beers  has  delivered  your  "make-shift"  box, 
■which,  besides  the  Michaelmas  accounts,  contains  newspapers 
which  I  am  at  a  loss  what  to  do  with. 

By  your  bill  of  mortality  for  the  year  '65,  which  I  pre- 
sume slipt  into  your  package,  I  find  that  you  are  subject  to 
surprising  casualities.  Tioo  people  choked  with  one  bean  ; 
and  that  not  in  the  parish  of  St.  Patrick  !  One  died  by  a 
dead  palsy  !  Pray,  how  long  had  he  been  dead  before  he 
died  ?  Twenty -two  of  decay  !  This  surely  is  poverty,  for 
there  is  besides  the  deaths  from  consumption.  What  new 
buildings  are  those  of  which  so  many  people  die  ?  Your 
papers  appear  to  me  very  comical  upon  so  melancholy  a 
subject. 

Heaven  preserve  you  from  all  casualities,  new  or  old. 

Mr.  Francis'  bill  on  Hagen  to  me  is  accepted. 
I  am  your  afi"ectionate, 

humble  servant, 

GROSV'U  BEDFORD. 
Love  to  yours. 


JUDGE  YEATES  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

Lancaster  September  Sth,  1768, 

Hon'd  Sir  : — Mr.  Shippen  informing  us  of  a  convey- 
ance to  you,  I  sit  down  to  let  you  know  the  politics  of  the 
town.  Strange  events  have  happened  amongst  us,  which  I 
dare  pronounce,  ere  now  have  caused  no  small  speculation 
in  Paxton.  Brother  Porter,  it  seems,  is  in  the  vocative. 
A  few  weeks  ago,  he  headed  a  party  of  yellow  wigs,  between 


217 

twenty  and  thirty  in  number,  and  notoriously  attacked  the 
house  of  one  William  Reynolds,  a  broad  brim,  in  West 
Nottingham  township,  Chester  county.  This  large  corps 
he  summoned  together,  on  being  repulsed  with  a  smaller 
party,  the  same  day  that  he  was  trying  to  take  away  by  force 
some  negroes  claimed  by  his  brother,  Robert  Porter,  in 
Reynolds'  possession.  After  committing  some  outrages, 
(among  which  Friends  say  may  be  reckoned  a  burglary,) 
they  went  off  in  triumph,  being  disguised  with  handker- 
chiefs about  their  heads,  having  no  hats  on.  Mr.  Saunders 
issued  a  warrant  against  Mr.  Porter,  on  a  complaint  made  to 
him  of  the  Taits,  which  the  latter  satisfied  by  giving  bail  for 
his  appearance  at  the  next  court.  A  few  days  afterwards 
Reynolds  took  an  affirmation  before  him,  that  his  wife's  life 
was  despaired  of  in  consequence  of  the  hurt  received  from 
Porter.  On  this,  a  writ  was  issued  to  put  poor  Porter  in 
limbo,  until  the  matter  of  Reynolds'  wife's  life  or  death  could 
be  ascertained.  The  sheriff,  at  Mr.  Ross'  importunity, 
did  not  carry  his  prisoner,  after  he  was  arrested,  to  jail,  but 
detained  him  until  Dr.  Boyd  could  view  the  dying  woman 
and  make  report  of  her  condition.  Boyd  went  immediately 
off,  and  on  his  return  gave  his  opinion,  that  he  thought  Por- 
ter's wife,  so  far  from  being  <iangerously  ill  had  every  appear- 
ance of  health.  Porter  was  then  bailed  by  the  justices, greatly 
against  the  judgment  of  Friends,  who  still  insist  there  was  an 
actual  burglary,  though  none  could  be  proved.  The  same 
evening  Robert  Porter  attacked,  overcame  and  beat  Reynolds, 
the  prosecutor,  on  his  return  home,  for  his  unjust  charge 
against  his  brother,  who  then  took  out  a  warrant  for  him 
also. 

After  he  had  eluded  the  sheriff's  search,  by  a  stratagem, 
the  sheriff  took  him  about  eight  miles  off,  where  he  was 

K 


218 

rescued  by  Stephen  Porter  and  some  others,  as  Webb  says. 
If  such  be  the  case  Porter  has  forfeited  his  recognizance  for 
good  behavior,  which  he  entered  into ;  on  being  discharged 
from  the  sheriff's  custody  himself  in  £500,  and  two  sure- 
ties in  £250  each ;  and  now  the  parties  are  both  gone  to 
the  Chief  Justice  to  seek  redress  for  their  mutual  complaints. 
When  Robert  Porter  was  rescued,  the  sheriff  brought  off 
his  own  and  two  other  horses,  though  I  don't  know  he  had 
any  writ  against  the  latter. 

A  replevin  has  been  sued  out  by  the  owner  of  one  of  the 
beasts,  which  the  sheriff  refuses  to  serve,  alleging  what  he 
did  was  clearly  his  duty. 

I  brought  the  action  at  the  party's  entreaty,  which  the 
sheriff  takes  in  high  [dudgeon,]  and  he  [says,]  God  knows 
what,  against  my  practice. 

Of  this,  however,  I  am  perfectly  innocent,  as  I  used  hira 
with  more  kindness  and  delicacy  than  he  deserved,  by 
repeated  notices,  peaceably  to  give  up  the  creature.  On  the 
whole,  Mr.  Porter,  I  think,  has  acted  a  most  weak  and  im- 
prudent part,  Mr.  Webb  as  warm  and  foolish  a  one,  and 
both  Presbyterians  and  Quakers  are  as  hot  as  party  feuds 
and  disappointed  rage  can  make  them.  Mr.  Wright  has  just 
told  us  he  will  serve  no  longer  in  the  Assembly,  and  will 
put  his  intentions  in  print.  Mr.  Saunders  and  Eoss  will 
then  become  candidates,  and  try  their  strength  at  the  next 
election.  I  make  no  doubt  but  your  department  wilj 
unanimously  declare  in  favor  of  the  former,  as  having  by 
far  the  most  right  to  represent  the  country.  I  barely  give 
you  this  hint  that  you  may  solicit  his  interest,  if  you 
judge  proper,  though  Saunders  never  mentioned  the  matter 
plainly  to  me. 


210 
COL.  SUIPPEN  TO  COL.  BL'RD,  AT  TINIAM. 

PMadelphia,  Feh'y  23(7,  17G9. 

Dear  Brother  : — I  am  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  your  favor  of  the  6th  instant,  enclosing  a  list  of  officers 
who  paid  you  10s.  each,  (they  have  all  signed  the  articles,) 
and  Captain  Patterson's  and  Killbuck's  letters,  both  which 
I  herewith  return  you. 

With  respect  to  the  subject  of  our  application  for  lands,* 
I  refer  you  to  the  joint  letter  of  Dr.  Morgan  and  myself  to 
you  of  this  day. 

I  have  shown  Killbuck's  complaint  to  the  Governor  and 
Mr.  Allen,  as  well  as  the  paragraph  of  your  letter  relative 
to  it,  and  they  look  upon  John  Mitcheltree  to  have  acted  in 
a  very  villainous  manner;  and  this  his  attempt  on  the  In- 
dian Killbuck,  and  his  threats  expressed  to  you  of  putting 
him  to  death  whenever  it  shall  be  in  his  power,  have  so 
dangerous  a  tendency  to  involve  the  whole  country  in  an 
Indian  war,  that  they  think  it  absolutely  incumbent  on  the 
civil  authority  to  take  strict  notice  of  such  alarming  villainy. 
They  therefore  desire  you  will  bind  John  Mitcheltree  over 
to  the  next  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions,  for  his  good  behavior, 
in  £400,  and  oblige  him  to  give  two  sufficient  sureties  in 
£200  each;  and  they  are  of  opinion  that  this  should  be 
continued  from  Court  to  Court. 


COL.  TURBUTT  FRANCIS  TO  COL.  JAS.  BUKD. 

Harrus,  Ma^  lOth,  17C9. 
Dear  Sir  : — I  would  not  have  passed  your  house  without 
calling  on   you,  but   had  very  particular  business  which 
*  Borintv  lands  for  their  services. 


220 

pressed  me.  There  arc  now  here  five  or  six  New  Eug- 
landers  from  Wyoming,  who  are  come  down  to  purchase 
provisions  for  their  friends,  and  perhaps  have  some  other 
plan  in  view.  If  you  could  lay  hold  of  them  with  propriety 
I  fancy  it  might  be  of  service,  as  they  are  in  want  of  pro- 
visions at  Wyoming.  It  would  prevent  these  provisions 
from  going  up  to  them^  and  would  deter  others  from  coming 
down  on  the  same  errand.  They  talk  of  going  from  hence 
on  Monday  next.  All  our  friends  at  Philadelphia  are  well. 
Pray,  present  my  best  respects,  if  you  please,  to  Mrs.  and 
Miss  Burd. 

I  shall  start  for  Augusta  this  afternoon,  to  spend  my 
summer.     If  you  come  within  reach  of  me,  I  hope  you  will 
give  me  an  opportunity  to  show  you  how  much 
I  am,  sir. 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

TURBUTT  FRANCIS. 


CH.  J.  SIIIPPEN  TO  COLONEL  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

Philadelphia,  June  2bth,  1769. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  received  your  letters  of  the  23d  of  May 
and  11th  inst.,  and  have  communicated  to  the  Governor 
what  you  say  concerning  the  New  England  people,  who  will, 
I  believe,  now  give  us  no  more  trouble,  120  of  them  having 
been  last  week,  at  Easton  Court,  indicted  for  riots  and 
forcible  entries,  which  proceeding  has  so  intimidated  them, 
that  Major  Dyer  and  their  other  principal  abettors  have 
agreed  to  remove  immediately  from  the  Susquehanna  lands, 
and  give  the  Government  no  more  trouble  about  their  claims, 
unless  they  shall  be  able  to  obtain  a  determination  in  their 


221 

favor  in  England.  On  this  consideration  the  Government 
will  forbear  any  rigor  in  the  prosecutions  on  these  indict- 
ments; which,  however,  are  to  hang  over  their  heads  till 
they  have  given  up  the  possession  of  the  lands.  "Wherefore, 
unless  you  hear  something  more  of  this  affair  hereafter,  you 
need  not  give  yourself  any  further  trouble  concerning  the 
apprehending  any  of  these  people. 


JUDGE  YEATES  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  TIMAN. 

Lancaster,  September  17th,  1769. 

Honored  Sir  : — The  deputies  from  the  upper  part  of  the 
country,  attended  here  on  Friday  last,  to  give  their  assist- 
ance in  forming  a  ticket  for  the  ensuing  election.  In  what 
manner  that  assistance  was  given  I  know  not,  nor  whether 
their  [presence]  was  required  by  Myer  and  Bachman  at  the 
settlement  of  measures  [or  not].  Wallace  informs  me  they 
were  .not  consulted,  and  seemed  delighted,  [but  was  unable] 
to  determine  whether  this  might  not  proceed  from  other 
[motives]. 

In  the  evening  of  the  Congress,  Dr.  Boyd  and  myself 
called  at  Little's  to  see  how  matters  went  on,  and  after  I  had 
spoke  with  Wallace,  I  mentioned  to  Martin  Myer  that  I 
feared  the  proper  steps  had  not  been  taken  to  secure  una- 
nimity. Mr.  Atlee  tartly  replied,  that  a  ticket  had  been 
framed,  and  if  Paxton,  Hannover,  &c.,  did  not  agree  to  it, 
they  might  e'en  stay  at  home.  After  some  little  altercation, 
we  parted,  not  very  well  satisfied,  I  believe,  with  each  other. 

The  current  objections  to  the  ticket,  (herewith  sent,)  are 
that  no  leading  men  among  the  politicians  are  introduced 
therein,  which  might  be  a  lure  to  others  of  the  same  persua- 


sion  to  join  the  party,  and  that  the  intended  alteration 
stands  not  sufficiently  on  the  broad-bottom,  but  regards 
those  chiefly  to  the  northward  of  Lancaster.  I  am  told  by 
the  knowing  ones,  that  the  last  omission  will  knock  up  the 
ticket,  as  the  other  parts  of  the  county  will  look  on  them- 
selves as  slighted,  and  consequently,  if  they  do  turn  out, 
will  do  it  in  favor  of  the  other  side,  unless  there  is  a  speedy 
change.  In  fact,  the  same  thing  may  be  now  urged  to  the 
present  measure,  as  was  formerly  made  a  capital  [objection]. 
******  I  fancy 

no  attempt  will  be  made  to  displace  James  Webb,  as  the 
struggle  seems  to  be  chiefly  about  the  board,  and  they  will 
not  weaken  their  interests  on  either  side  to  remove  a  man, 
merely  to  please  the  favorite  schemes  of  an  ambitious,  restless, 
and  fighting  brother.     So  much  for  electioneering. 

I  had  forgot  to  tell  you,  that  the  Board  have  thought 
proper  to  return  yesterday  unto  the  office,  an  abstract  of 
their  accounts  for  the  last  year ;  so  far  that  point  is  carried. 


WM.    ATLEE    TO    COL.    EURD,    AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  September  19tk,  1769. 

Sir  : — I  wrote  you  the  other  day  by  Christian  Bach- 
man  and  enclosed  you  a  ticket.  Since  that  there  has  been 
another  meeting,  some  objections  having  been  made  by 
persons  in  town,  with  respect  to  some  of  the  assessors,  and 
upon  a  fresh  consultation  between  Bachman,  Myer,  Early, 
and  a  great  many  of  the  reputable  people  in  town,  the 
enclosed  ticket  is  now  fixed  on,  and  determined  to  be  carried, 
if  possible.  Bachman  and  Myer  requested  me  to  give  you 
the  eiirliest  advice  of  this  alteration,  (fcc.     I  hope  you  will 


223 

encourage  the  upper  people  to  turn  out.  There  will  be 
warm  work  I  assure  you,  the  lower  side  still  keep  their 
ticket  private.  'Tis  thought  they  only  waited  for  this  to  be 
finished,  that  they  might  include  some  other  persons  of  the 
town  in  theirs,  and  so  divide  us.  So  you  see  the  town,  since 
the  late  regulations,  has  become  of  some  consequence,  and 
stands  a  chance  of  being  courted  by  both  sides. 

I  am  sir,  &c. 


JUDGE    YEATES   TO    COL.    BURD,    AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  September  IdtJi,  1769. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — Once  more  I  address  you  on  the  affairs  of 
the  nation.  Since  my  last,  a  new  set  of  assessors  has  been 
fixed  on  by  Messrs.  Myers  and  Bachman,  to  obviate  one  of 
the  objections  mentioned  in  my  last,  which  they  hope  will 
prove  satisfactory.  A  number  of  persons  of  weight  assisted 
in  the  framing  this  new  ticket,  who,  I  think,  will  try  their 
utmost  efibrts,  that  it  shall  not  miscarry.  Wallace,  I  believe, 
represented  the  former  mutiny  in  the  worst  point  of  light 
to  me,  so  that  I  am  tempted  to  forget  brother  Atlee's  stroke 
at  Paxtang,  &c,  and  sincerely  wish  the  people  round  you 
may  show  activity  and  alertness  at  the  ensuing  push.  Bach- 
man told  me  last  night  he  places  great  dependence  on  you, 
in  which  I  assured  him  he  will  not  be  disappointed. 

After  all,  if  the  point  aimed  at  by  the  minority  should 
not  be  carried,  the  township  round  you  will  at  least  show 

themselves  to  be  of  some  consequence,  and  not  to  be  

on.     'Tis  thought  by  some  that  an  attempt  will- be  made  to 


224 

the  eastward  of  Connistoga  to  displace  Webb,  and  that  Moses 
Brinton  or  James  Old  will  be  opposed  by  him.  I  conceive 
this  will  be  one  great  means  of  running  their  ticket,  which 
we  hear  is  not  to  be  settled  till  Friday  next.  An  imperti- 
nent scrawl  was  delivered  to  Martin  Myers  from  Dav. 
Wister,  of  Philadelphia,  informing  him,  that  as  the  sheriff's 
father  had  behaved  very  unworthily,  it  would  be  most 
eligible  to  desert  him.  The  letter  was  treated  with  the  con- 
tempt it  deserved. 

The  Assessors  in  the  new  ticket  stand  thus  : 

Asher  Shaffner,  Jr.,  Samuel  Barr, 

Alexander  Martin,  Thomas  Clarke,  (Droraore,) 

Frederick  Hummcll,  Thomas  Clarke,  (Hannover.) 


COL.  JOSEPH  SHIPPEN  TO  HON.  JOHN  PENN,  AT   NEW  YORK. 

Philadelphia,  November  \Zth,  1769. 

Sir  : — I  herewith  send  you  a  bond  of  security  for  your 
observance  of  the  acts  of  trade  as  Governor  of  this  Province, 
which  was  executed  this  morning  by  Mr.  Allen  and  Mr. 
Chew.  And  as  they  both  thought  it  most  regular  for  you 
to  join  in  the  bond  also,  I  have  inserted  your  name,  and  a 
blank  is  left  above  their  names  that  you  may  sign,  seal,  and 
deliver  it  before  two  witnesses  at  New  York,  when  you 
receive  your  commission.  I  also  enclose  you  a  copy  of 
Governor  Sharpe's  cei'tificate,  to  serve  as  a  precedent  to 
draw  one  by,  for  the  Governor  of  New  York  to  execute.  I 
showed  Col.  Francis  your  letter  from  Sir  William  Johnson, 
and  he  says  he  has  relinquished  his  design  of  taking  up  the 


two  salt  springs,  :.s  he  found,  on  exauiiuation,  that  they  were 
not  within  tho  Pi-oprictary  purchase.  He  intends  to  write 
to  Sir  William  on  the  subject,  to  satisfy  him  that  there  arc 
no  grounds  for  any  complaint  from  the  Indians  respecting 
that  matter. 

I  hope  3'ou  and   the  ladies  had  an  agreeable  journey. 
Jenny  joins  with  nic  in  compliments  to  them. 

I  am,  with  sincere  esteem,  sir,  &c. 


EUWAllD  BURD"^  TO  COL.  BURD. 

Philadelphia,  October  Ath,  1770. 

Dear  and  hox'd  Sir  : — On  the  arrival  of  a  Dutch  ship, 
I  informed  uncle  Edward  Shippen  of  it,  who  ordered  me  to 
purchase  for  you  a  servant,  which  I  have  done  accordingly, 
and  send  to  grandpapa's  care.  He  cost  £19  17s.  or  18s., 
I  am  not  certain  which,  and  staid  two  or  three  days  in 
town.  His  indenture  cost  4s.  Qd.,  and  I  gave  him  7s.  Qd. 
earnest  money,  according  to  custom.  I  would  not  get  an 
assignment  of  his  indenture,  which  is  enclosed,  as  it  would 
only  be  an  additional  expense  without  necessity.  The  young 
man  has  been  used  to  farming,  so  that  he  will  be  of  imme- 
diate service  to  you.  He  is  to  wear  his  own  clothes  so  long 
as  they  will  last,  and  then  have  provision  from  you.  This 
was  by  particular  agreement. 

Mr.  Galloway  is  turned  out  of  the  Assemby,  (if  not 
elected  at  Bucks,)  and  Mr.  Taylor  put  in  his  room.  This 
was  principally  owing  to  a  pamphlet  written  by  Goddard, 
which  I  have  sent  to  grandpapa  for  his  perusal,  and  desired 
him  afterwards  to  forward  it  to  you. 

*  Afterwards  Major  Burd. 


226 
GROSVENOR  BEDFORD;  ESQ.  TO  JOHN  SWIFT,  I'lIlLADELl'lIIA* 

London,  June  lat,  1771. 

Dear  Swift:  —  I  hope  that,  before  now,  you  have  been 
made  easy  as  to  the  whisper  about  my  death.  I  have  fre- 
quently desired  you  not  to  regard  such  reports.  Don't  you 
think  that,  whenever  it  happens,  my  sous  will  give  you  an 
account  of  it? 

I  have  often  informed  you  of  proposals  being  made  to  me 
for  your  deputation.*  I  can  now  tell  you  of  offers  to  me 
for  the  resignation  of  my  patent,  which,  1  do  assure  you, 
nothing  but  my  regard  for  you  has  made  me  decline  :  for  I 
would  very  gladly  be  quit  of  such  a  set  of  arbitrary  and 
unreasonable  commissioners.  Suppose  you  were  to  die,  how 
am  I  to  settle  my  accounts,  when  there  will  always  be  a 
year's  rent  in  arrear?  Is  it  that  their  sense  and  judgment 
are  only  annual,  that  they  cannot  tell,  when  an  account 
is  laid  before  them  quarterly,  what  incidents  they  ought  to 
allow;  or  do  they  only  study  to  embarrass  and  distress  their 
officers,  to  show  their  newly-acquired  power  ?  I  am  sure 
they  have  no  reason  to  complain  of  the  arbitrary  proceed- 
ings of  the  people  against  them,  when  they  must  feel  the 
same  principles  at  work  in  themselves.  But,  to  return  to 
my  accounts.  If  your  death  should  happen,  they  will  be 
transmitted  to  the  custom-house  here,  without  the  year's 
incidents  due  upon  them  appearing,  but  with  a  large  sum  of 
money  apparently  in  your  hands — money  which  they  have 
not  suffered  you  to  remit  to  them — and  so  my  account  will 
be  made  up,  and  I  called  upon  immediately  for  the  balance. 
Their  superseding  Mr.  Lardner  was  extremely  ungenteel; 
and,   I   think,   their    appointment    of    a    controller   very 

*  The  coUectorship,  or  *'  deputy-surveyorship,"  as  it  was  officially 
called. 


227 

absurd.  He  ought  to  bo  a  check  uijou  the  collector,  iiml  is 
uot  supposed  to  proceed  from  the  same  creation. 

As  they  treat  you,  a  man  may  be  ruined  by  his  industry 
in  collecting.  They  will  neither  indemnify  you  against  the 
money  which  they  oblige  you  to  keep  in  your  OAvn  hands, 
nor  suffer  you  to  remit  it,  but  iu  such  a  manner  as  shall  sub- 
ject you  to  their  objection  and  cavil,  if  an  accident  happen. 
Every  ship  is  declared  to  be  ''  a  good  ship"  by  the  bills  of 
lading ;  and  how  are  you  to  know  otherwise  ?  Can  they 
suppose  that  a  ship,  in  which  people  venture  their  lives,  is 
not  "good"  enough  to  convey  their  money  ?  They  must 
have  other  reasons  for  keeping  a  bank  in  an  officer's  hands, 
giving  no  indemnity,  and  holding  themselves  not  account- 
able, till  they  have  received  the  money.  You  should  be 
allowed  to  remit  here,  and  not  be  compelled  to  keep  it  there. 

I  hope  IMr.  Barkly  has  left  his  widow  iu  easy  circum- 
stances.    Captain  Stainforth's  bill  is  accepted. 

I  have  desired  you  not  to  expect  me  to  be  constant  in 
writing.  Many  ships  depart  without  my  knowledge.  Cap- 
tain Osborne  was  going  weekly,  for  six  weeks,  and  he  slipped 
me  at  last.     I  write  to  you  by  the  packets. 

You  made  me  happy,  by  agreeing  with  me  about  Madeira. 
I  dared  not,  for  fear  of  offence,  declare  my  opinion  before; 
but  now,  I  fear  not  to  say  that  it  has  not,  for  some  years, 
been  like  that  of  former  years.*  The  sweetness  is  artificial : 
and,  when  it  goes  off,  there  is  no  flavor  left  of  old  wine. 
•  Therefore,  no  more  of  that,  'an  you  love  me. 

*  It  is  perhaps  needless  to  say,  that  Mr.  Bedford  was  advanced 
in  years  when  he  penned  this  letter.  The  handwriting  is  tremulous, 
and  proves  the  truth  of  his  assurance,  that  its  composition  tired 
him.  But,  though  the  days  had  come,  when  '  the  keepers  of  the 
house'  had  begun  'to  tremble,'  yet  his  heart  was  still  warm  with 
the  feelings  of  generous,  early  friendship.  The  last  sentence  of 
this  letter,  the  last  received  (so  far  as  is  now  known)  from  him, 
glows  with  the  most  unselfish  affection. 


228 

T  believe  you  v^ull  think  I  have  given  you  enuugli.  1  do 
assure  you  I  am  tired,  and  so  rest. 

Your  truly  affectionate,  humble  servant, 

GROSV'R  BEDFORD. 
Love  to  yours  and  Joe. 

Commissioner  Robinson  and  my  son  Dick  are  become 
very  well  acquainted.  They  are  both  very  gay  men,  and 
meet  in  all  polite  assemblies.     I  have  seen  him  but  once. 

I  have  been  offered  security  to  pay  me  my  present 
income  during  life,  and  a  handsome  premium  besides.  But, 
then,  what  must  have  become  of  you  ? 


CH.  J.  SIIIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Pliiladeljjliia,  August  24^7i,  1771. 

Honored  Sir  :  —  I  shall  take  the  proper  steps  to  obtain 
your  share  of  the  Perquiomen  lands.  I  find  an  act  of  As- 
sembly is  to  be  first  passed,  which  I  shall  of  course  have 
the  inspecting  of,  before  passing. 

Relfe  and  Shriver  must  bave  their  accounts  presented  to 
tbe  Assembly,  at  their  next  sitting,  at  which  time  the 
accounts  of  the  whole  year  will  be  settled.  We  shall, 
however,  canvass  the  matter  in  Council  first. 

As  to  Neddy  Burd,  I  am  glad  you  approve  of  ray  pro- 
posal of  settling  him  at  Northampton,  as  I  am  certain  there 
is  tbe  best  opening  for  a  young  fellow  at  this  time.  He 
will  be  free*  some  time  about  Christmas,  and  may  then  take 
a  ride  ixp  to  see  the  place,  and  make  known  his  intentions 
of  settling  there ;  but  it  will  not  be  amiss  that  he  should 
return,  and  stay  in  my  office  till  the  Spring.    As  to   survey- 

*  From  bis  "  apprenticeship"  to  the  law. 


2-9 

ing,  it  is  very  well  he  should  understand  it,  but  I  would  by 
no  means  have  him  undertake  practical  surveying ;  he  has  a 
better  profession,  and,  by  applying  himself  to  that,  may 
soon  get  into  a  good  way  of  business;  but,  if  he  should  get 
at  all  into  the  surveying  business,  it  will  take  him  off  his 
studies,  and  give  him  a  habit  of  riding  through  the  country 
upon  every  trifling  occasion,  much  to  the  injury  of  his  pro- 
per business.  Peggy  Allen  has  had  a  sly  private  wedding 
at  Black  Point.     The  family  are  all  pleased. 


JASPER   YEATES   TO    COL.    BURB,    AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  March  2Sth,  1772. 

Hon'd  Sir  : —         *  *  As  to  the  laws  passed 

this  session,  the  newspapers  will  inform  you  of  their  titles. 
Brother  George*  blames  himself  exceedingly  about  the 
Excise  Acts  approved  of  by  the  Grovernor.  It  seems  his 
Honor  at  first  rejected  the  bill,  but  finding  it  had  reference 
to  anotlier  bill,  which  granted  supplies  for  his  majesty's 
troops,  his  Honor  was  under  the  neeessit}'^  of  swallowing 
it.  We  are  told  the  introduction  of  Mr.  Hickes  into  the 
party  gives  gi-eat  uneasiness.  He  is  distinguished  as  the 
favorite,  and  his  advice  is  generally  received  in  preference 
to  those  of  another  standing,  who  are  better  acquainted  with 
the  constitution.  Many  anecdotes  are  current  of  Mr.  Chew, 
showing  his  sense  of  matters  and  his  opinion  of  that  citizen's 
abilities.  Mr.  Penn  will  involve  himself  in  innumerable 
difficulties;  should  he  persist  in  the  strong  attachment  to 
Hicks,  and  in  his  resolution  of  acting  the  part  of  an  inde- 
pendent man. 

*  Georsre  Yeates. 


230 


EDWARD    SHIPI'EN    TO    COL.    BUllD,    AT    TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  July  Ihth,  1772. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — I  have  your  agreeable  favor  of 
yesterday  before  me,  and  we  are  glad  to  hear  you  arc  all 
well.  I  was  well  pleased  with  Junius'  letter  to  Lord  North. 
As  to  Groddard's  letter  directed  to  the  public,  I  can  only  say 
he  is  a  severe  fellow.  But  for  all  the  stripes  he  lays  upon 
Galloway's  back,  let  that  gentleman  blame  himself.  A  man 
ought  to  consider,  that  although  a  speech  in  the  House  of 
Commons  may  oftentimes  carry  all  before  him,  by  a  majority 
of  voices,  which  answer  perhaps  the  present  purposes,  as  if 
the  votes  were  nem.  con.,  yet  a  Junius  or  a  Goddard  may 
pay  them  off  through  the  press,  and  if  some  of  our  states- 
men and  clergymen  are  callous,  as  some  speakers  and 
preachers,  both  abroad  and  at  home  undoubtedly  are,  (as  old 
Sir  Robert  in  England,  and  a  nameless  gentleman  in  the 
province  were,  one  Doctor  Smith,)  yet,  when  the  stamp  act 
was  damned  and  Junius'  letters  came  out  respecting  it,  a 
Grenville  broke  his  heart,  and  is  now  gone  off  the  stage 
of  action;  and  now  Goddard's  letters  penetrate  so  deeply  into 
the  heart  of  our  Galloway,  that  it  is  thought  that  he  will 
soon  give  up  the  ghost,  too.*  How  do  you  like  the  spirited 
paper  of  my  countrymen,  the  Bostonians,  respecting  the 
independency  of  their  Governor  ? 

*  For  a  full  account  of  Mr.  Galloway  and  Mr.  Goddard,  and  also 
for  the  dispute,  to  which  reference  is  here  had,  see  Sabine's  Loyal- 
ists, s.  V.  Galloway  and  Goddard. 


231 

JUDGE   YEATES   TO   COL.    BURD,   AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  Scpicmher  2Qth,  1773. 

Hox.  Sir  : — I  have  just  received  your  favor  of  the  18th 
instant.  The  friends  of  Mr.  Atlee  were  not  a  little  alarmed 
during  the  election  for  Burgesses,  to  find  him  so  warmly 
pressed  by  the  late  Justice  Hamilton,  insomuch  that  it  was 
generally  thought  the  latter  would  be  the  highest  on  the 
poll.  The  event,  however,  was  contrary,  as  Mr.  Atlee 
exceeded  him  by  nineteen  votes,  and  the  other  remains 
under-Burgess. 

This  being  finished,  the  Board  of  Commissioners  and 
Assessors,  with  Myers  and  Bachman,  and  several  leading 
men  from  diiferent  townships,  proceeded  to  Stophel  Reig- 
art's,  where  a  ticket  was  to  be  formed. 

The  result  of  their  deliberations  was,  that  Mr.  Curtis 
Grubb  should  run  in  the  place  of  Isaac  Whitelock  as  a 
representative,  and  that  John  Ferru,  and  Andrew  GraefF, 
should  be  inserted  in  their  ticket  as  Sheriffs.  The  removal 
of  frieiid  Whitelock  gives  no  small  uneasiness  to  the 
brethren,  and  is  indeed  censured  by  very  many  of  the 
county.  He  came  in  without  any  kind  of  solicitation  on 
his  part,  and  has  attended  the  house  constantly ;  behaving 
with  credit  during  his  year  of  probation.  The  impetuosity 
also  of  Curtis  fortifies  their  argument,  and  it  is  commonly 
thought  the  proposal  of  his  remaining  in  is  to  prove  the 
Lebanon  interest  in  the  new  county  scheme.  Thus  matters 
rest  at  present.  What  other  turn  they  may  take  it  is  im- 
possible to  say.  Mr.  Ross  went  down  yesterday  to  the  house 
to  attend  the  debate,  with  respect  to  the  petition  of  the  city 
about  their  taxes,  and  the  questioning  of  the  several  back 
counties,  but  I  don't  apprehend  there  is  any  kind  of  danger 
of  this  measure  taking  place. 


232 
JUDGE   YEATES   TO    COL.    BURD,    AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  October  Qth,  1773. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — Our  election  being  over,  the  borough  is 
restored  to  its  former  quiet,  and  the  inhabitants  have  again 
resumed  their  senses.  Many  people  are  much  pleased  at  the 
defeat  of  Bachman  and  Myers,  who  have  taken  the  lead  for 
this  three  years  past,  as  they  consider  it  an  indignity  to  the 
county.  The  displacing  of  friend  Whitelock  has  given 
umbrage  to  some,  who  think  him  very  undeserving  of  the 
treatment  shown  him. 

By  this  conveyance  I  send  you  a  parcel  of  peach-stones, 
chiefly  of  the  best  kind,  for  your  nursery,  and  a  few  flower 
roots  procured  of  Mr.  Adam  Reigart;  they  should  be  planted 
this  fall,  or  as  soon  as  possible.  The  accounts  from  Phila- 
delphia tell  us,  there  is  no  connection  between  the  present 
and  late  Governors,  though  they  have  dined  together  twice 
in  public.  Mr.  Richard  Penn  takes  no  notice  whatever  of 
his  brother,  nor  even  speaks  to  him.  The  consequence  of 
such  conduct  need  not  be  animadverted  on.* 


EDWARD   SHIPPEN   TO    COL.    BURD,     AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  Deceniber  \oth,  1773, 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — Mr.  Whitfield,f  Annuo  Domini 
1770,  gave  us  the  sacrament  in  Mr.  Barton's  church,  and, 

*  The  quarrel  between  the  two  Penns  is  also  mentioned  in  a  letter 
from  Edward  Shippen  to  Col.  Burd :  ^^  Lancaster,  October  7 th,  I'^IS, 
'  Mr.  Bob.  Morris,  the  head  man  at  the  Merchants'  feast,  placed 
'  Governor  Peim  on  liis  right  hand,  and  his  brother,  the  late  Gover- 
'  nor,  on  his  left  hand ;  but  not  a  word  passed  between  the  two  broth- 
'  ers.' 

f  The  celebrated  Preacher. 


283 

observing  that  he  broke  the  bread  into  pieces  as  small  as 
a  hazlenut,  it  brought  into  my  mind  some  passages  whicdi 
I  had  formerly  taken  notice  of  in  his  journal,  wherein  he 
mentions  his  giving  bread  and  wine  to  a  thousand  at  a  time, 
in  commemoration  of  the  dying  love  of  our  Crucified  Lord. 
I  suppose,  poor  gentleman,  he  thonght  he  was  at  Lady 
Huntingdon's  tabernacle. 

Mr.  Yeates  writes  me  to-night  from  Philadelphia,  that 
the  English  Company's  tea  ship  arrived  at  Boston,  and 
that  notwithstanding  all  that  Gov.  Hutchinson,  and  the 
consignees  could  do  to  land  that  exotic  plant,  the  Captain 
was  obliged  immediately  to  return  to  England  with  it;  and 
printed  accounts  of  all  their  proceedings  herein,  are  sent 
by  express  to  Rhode  Island,  New  York  and  Philadelphia, 
and  they  have  unanimously  agreed,  that,  if  any  of  their 
own  merchants  shall  presume  again  to  send  for  any  tea, 
they  will  oblige  them  to  return  it  to  England  again ;  and 
this  cause  in  which  they  arc  (I  may  say)  universally  agreed, 
they  wilL  endeavor  to  support  at  the  risk  of  their  lives  and 
fortunes.  Mr.  Yeates  says,  that  they  heard  the  Philadelphia 
tea  ship  was  seen  oflf  Cape  May  last  week.  I  suppose  an 
express  will  be  sent  to  meet  her  at  Red  Bank,  commanding 
(I  dont  say  advising,)  the  Captain  of  her  to  tack  about  and 
make  the  best  of  his  way  home  again,  for  that  this  Conti- 
nent is  as  much  surfeited  with  the  smell  of  her  old,  rotten 
tea,  as  ever  a  Spanish  cook  was  with  dressing  Porco  de 
como,  at  his  Catholic  Majesty's  kitchen. 


JUDGE   YEATES   TO    COL.  BURD,  AT    TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  Fihruary  28th,  1774. 

Honored  Sir  : — I  waited  upon  Mr.  Barton  agreeable  to 
your  desire,  respecting  the  point  of  conscience.    He  informs 


23-1 

me  that  a  deputation  lately  came  down  from  Middletown  to 
Mr.  Hilmutb,  for  bis  sentiments  on  the  subject,  and  that 
Mr.  Hilmuth  called  upon  him  on  the  occasion,  so  that  he 
was  fully  acquainted  with  the  matter,  which  is  like  to  occa- 
sion a  schism  in  the  church. 

In  consequence  of  the  request  of  the  people  who  were 
just  here,  Mr.  Barton  and  Mr.  Hilmuth  both  wrote  to  Mr. 
Illing  their  opinions  :  that  as  he  ministered  among  persons 
who  were  not  strictly  in  communion  with  the  church  of 
England,  it  would  be  highly  proper  to  admit  of  some  re- 
laxation of  the  mere  forms  of  the  Liturgy,  in  cases  of 
necessity,  and  that  too,  more  particularly,  when  the  persons 
made  it  a  matter  of  conscience  to  refuse  those  forms;  that 
a  contrary  conduct  would,  in  pursuit  of  things  unessential, 
miss  the  substance  and  thereby  introduce  a  total  dislike  of 
the  discipline  of  the  church ;  that  such  relaxations  had  been 
heretofore  allowed  by  missionaries  of  the  first  character, 
such  as  suffering  communicants  to  receive  the  sacraments 
standing,  administering  baptism  where  only  one  sponsor  could 
be  conveniently  procured  &c.,  &c.  Mr.  Barton  is  now  quite 
sick,  but  promises  to  write  to  you  with  Mr.  Hilmuth,  when 
his  health  and  leisure  will  permit,  fully  on  this  subject.  For 
my  own  part,  I  look  on  the  dispute  as  the  most  trifling  one 
imaginable.  It  seems  to  me  equally  absurd,  with  the 
ridiculous  deliberations  of  the  Doctors  of  the  Sorbonne,  on 
a  question  proposed  to  them,  whether  an  unborn  child  might 
not  be  baptized  ? 

Doctor  Sterne,  in  his  1st  Vol.  of  Tristram  Shandy,  treats 
their  determinations  of  this  knotty  point  with  great  humor 
and  just  ridicule.  If  your  parson  had  used  me  as  he  has 
poor  Wofley,  I  would  convince  him,  by  every  means  offered 
me,  of  my  resentment;  though  perhaps,  contempt  would  be 
proper  to  a  person  of  his  narrow  and  illiberal  sentiments. 


235 

COL.  SniPPEN  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

PhiladdpMa,  Marcli  1\^t,  1774. 

Dear  Brother  : — Ou  Monday  last,  I  wrote  you  a  few 
lines  enclosing  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Dr.  Morgan,  at 
Fredericksburg,  since  which  I  have  been  favored  with  your 
letter  of  the  5th  inst. ;  in  answer  to  which,  I  am  sorry  to 
inform  you,  that  the  hopes  wo  had  entertained  of  obtaining 
a  grant  of  lands  from  the  Government  of  Virginia,  are  now 
entirely  vanished.  This  appears  by  a  letter  I  this  moment 
received  from  Doctor  Morgan,  dated  at  Williamsburg,  March 
11th,  1774.     An  extract  thereof  is  as  follows  : 

''  The  resolutions  of  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Vii-- 
ginia  have  lately  taken  an  unfavorable  turn  in  respect  to  the 
Pennsylvania  officers  who  might  think  of  applying  for  land 
in  this  colony.  About  a  fortnight  ago,  a  Council  was  called, 
when  the  affixir  of  granting  lands  to  Pennsylvania  officers 
was  debated ;  and  it  was  resolved  upon,  that  no  such  officer 
should  obtain  any  warrant  for  land  in  Virginia  in  virtue  of 
the  King's  proclamation  of  1763,  without  personal  applica- 
tion at  Williamsburg,  and  without  being  furnished  (each 
officer)  with  a  certificate  from  Gen.  Haldemand,  of  his  ser- 
vice during  the  war. 

"  The  Governor  declares  this  to  be  agreeable  to  his  in- 
structions, from  which  he  cannot  deviate,  alleging  that  the 
former  minutes  of  Council  only  respected  Virginia  officers 
and  soldiers." 

*'  On  acquainting  Lord  Dunmore  that  it  was  in  vain  to 
expect  Gen.  Haldemaud  to  give  the  officers  certificates,  and 
asking  him  whether  we  could  not  obtain  warrants  without, 
he  answered,  the  only  means  the  Pennsylvania  officers  had 
left  was  to  apply  at  home,*  and  promised,  that  if  they  would 
*  Euffland. 


236 

set  forth  their  grievances  and  claims,  &c.,  in  a  memorial  or 
petition  to  him,  he  would  transmit  the  same  to  England, 
and  write  himself  for  further  instructions.  I  write  this  in 
haste,  that  you  may,  by  a  line  to  Cols.  Armstrong  and  Burd, 
and  Capt.  Thompson,  acquaint  them  with  this  resolution,  as 
well  as  other  officers,  who  might  otherwise  be  preparing  to 
come  to  Virginia." 

As  to  an  application  at  home,  after  the  disappointment 
we  have  already  met  with,  I  am  of  opinion  it  can  have  no 
other  effect  than  to  involve  us  in  further  trouble  and  ex- 
pense; and  as  I  am  unwilling  to  risk  anything  more  on 
such  an  uncertainty,  I  am  determined  to  remain  as  con- 
tented as  I  can,  under  the  trouble,  loss  of  money  and  time, 
I  have  hitherto  experienced  in  this  Ohio  buhhle.  As  I  know 
not  who  will  be  the  bearer  of  this  letter,  I  propose  to  return 
your  commission  by  some  future  opportunity ;  one  I  can 
depend  on  as  safe. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  Monday  evening,  April  Wih,  1774, 

Dear  Mr.  Burd: — Presbyterians  love  Churchmen  as 
well  as  they  love  Presbyterians.*  For  my  own  part,  I  hope 
I  hate  nobody.  We  have  a  gentleman  in  town  who  con- 
demns the  Bostonians  for  destroying  the  tea,  though  at  the 
same  time  the  Governor,  Collector  and  Consignees,  were 
solicited  to  send  it  to  the  place  from  whence  it  came.  The 
same  gentleman  finds  great  fault,  too,  with  the  Assembly 
there  for  impeaching  their  Chief  Justice.     When  the  Act  of 

*  This  refers  to  '  the  point  of  conscience'  si^oken  of  in  Judge 
Yeatcs'  letter  to  Col.  Dui-d,  ante,  p.  233. 


237 

Parliament  for  laying  a  duty  upon  cider  in  England  was 
published,  the  farmers  rose  in  a  large  body  and  declared 
publicly,  that  although  this  Act  was  passed  by  their  own 
representatives,  yet  if  they  did  not  immediately  get  it  re- 
pealed, they  would  vote  for  other  men  as  soon  as  they  had 
it  in  their  power ;  and  this  menacing  had  so  good  an  effect, 
that  the  wicked  Act  was  soon  repealed.  Lord  North  says 
that  the  English  Parliament  virtually  represents  us,  but  he 
can  prove  it  no  other  way  than  by  swords  and  guns  and  im- 
plements of  war.  Three  men  of  war  may  be  sent  to  Boston 
to  enforce  the  payment  for  the  tea,  but  I  don't  believe  that 
any  Admiral  of  England,  who  really  deserves  such  a  title, 
will  ever  draw  sword  or  trigger  against  the  defenders  of 
Great  Britain. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  JAMES  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  June  2\st,  1774. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  :  —  I  am  just  going  to  wait  upon  the 
judges — so  must  say  the  less  at  this  time.  We  were  written 
to  by  Dr.  Smith,  recommending  an  address  to  the  king, 
showing  our  grievances.  But  our  answer  was  a  disapproba- 
tion. We  recommended  a  non-importation  and  non-expor- 
tation agreement.  There  are  seventy-two  Creoles  who  are 
members  of  Parliament  —  gentlemen  of  monstrous  estates 
in  the  West  Indies.  They  are  dead  votes  against  the 
colonies.  What  can  the  West  Indies  do  without  flour, 
starch,  and  hoop-poles  ? 


238 
EDWARD  sniPPEN  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  June  28<7i,  1774. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — I  am  just  now  favored  with  your  letter 
of  the  25th  instant.  I  desire  you  will  return  the  enclosed 
newspapers.  The  author  of  the  political  resolutions  makes 
some  grand  observations,  but,  for  want  of  perfection,  makes 
some  contrary  ones.  The  merchants  in  England  look  upon 
us  in  this  part  of  the  world  as  their  slaves,  having  no  more 
regard  for  us  than  the  seventy  wealthy  Creoles  (who 
have  bought  themselves  seats  in  the  Parliament-house), 
have  for  their  negroes  on  their  plantations  in  the  Western 
Islands.  It  is  our  duty  to  work  for  them — the  merchants — 
and  while  we,  the  white  and  black  servants,  send  them  gold 
and  silver,  and  the  Creoles  send  spirits,  sugar,  and  molasses, 
&c. ;  I  say,  while  we  supply  these  people  with  these 
douceurs,  so  that  they  may  take  their  pleasure,  and  roll 
about  in  their  coaches,  they  are  well  enough  satisfied.  But 
they  must  not  expect  to  have  their  eggs,  and  eat  them,  too. 
Be  it  known  to  these  Solomons  and  merchants,  that,  unless 
they  are  constantly  upon  their  guard  to  serve  us,  we  cannot 
enrich  them,  if  we  would.  It  was  observed  by  a  gentleman 
in  town,  that  it  would  be  a  very  imprudent  step  for  the 
colonists  to  enter  into  a  non-exportation  agreement,  how- 
ever well  it  might  be  to  agree  to  send  for  no  goods  to 
Great  Britain ;  because,  says  he,  we  should  then  be  in  the 
same  distressed  condition  as  the  people  in  Boston,  for 
whose  support  we  are  making  collections  ;  and,  if  we  should 
shut  up  our  ports,  the  question  is,  who  can  support  us  ? 
Sure  the  savages  have  it  not  within  their  power  to  do  it,  if 
they  were  so  inclined  ;  nay,  as  we  have  picked  a  quarrel 
with  them,  they  might  soon  put  us  out  of  our  pain  with 


239 

their  tomaba^vlcs.  But,  •whoever  will  scrutinize  narrowly 
the  late  act  of  Parliament,  may  plainly  discern  that  we  are 
all  included.  The  word.s,  "Rhode  Island,  Connecticut, 
New  York,  East  and  "West  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  INIary- 
land,  Virginia,  and  North  and  South  Carolina"  are  in- 
cluded ;  only  they  ai*e  written  in  lime  juice,  and  want  the 
heat  of  the  fire  to  make  thcni  legible.  Well,  then,  seeing 
this  is  the  case  with  us  all,  let  us  take  physic  when  it  best 
suits  our  convenience,  and  when  it  is  likely  to  have  the 
most  salutary  eifect,  and  not  wait  the  wicked  ministerial 
physician's  time,  when  it  will  be  our  death.  The  cursed 
scheme  is,  to  let  us  alone  until  we  have  sent  the  West 
Indies  a  supply  for  about  two  or  three  or  four  months,  and 
then  to  let  our  fate  be  known.  But,  why  do  we  flatter  our- 
selves ?  Have  we  not  acted  as  rebelliously  —  nay,  worse 
than  the  Bostonians  ?  If  we  should  send  no  provisions,  nor 
staves  and  hoops  to  the  West  Indies  now,  the  people  there 
would  not  only  be  half-starved,  (I  am  not  for  starving  them 
entirely,)  but  could  not  be  making  casks  for  the  produce  of 
their  plantations  J  and  as  soon  as  these  resolutions  should 
reach  the  ears  of  the  Parliament,  these  Solomons  above- 
mentioned  must  call  aloud  upon  the  Premier  to  open  our 
ports,  and  repeal  the  Tea  Law. 


.  At  a  meeting  of  a  very  respectable  body  of  the  freeholders 
and  other  inhabitants  of  the  county  of  Berks,  at  Beading, 
July  2,  1774.     Edward  Biddlc,  Esq.,  in  the  chair. 

This  assembly  taking  into  their  very  serious  consideration 
the  present  critical  situation  of  American  affairs,  do  unani- 
mously resolve  as  follows ; 


240 

1.  That  the  inhabitants  of  this  counLy  do  owe  and  will 
pay  due  allegiance  to  our  rightful  sovereign,  King  George 
the  Third. 

2.  That  the  powers  claimed,  and  now  attempted  to  be  put 
into  execution  by  the  British  Parliament  are  fundamentally 
wrong,  and  cannot  be  admitted  without  the  utter  destruction 
of  the  liberties  of  America. 

3.  That  the  Boston  Port-bill  is  unjust  and  tyrannical  in 
the  extreme,  and  that  the  measures  pursued  against  Boston 
are  intended  to  operate  equally  against  the  rights  and  liber- 
ties of  the  other  colonies. 

4.  That  this  assembly  doth  concur  in  opinion  with  their 
respectable  brethren  of  Philadelphia,  that  there  is  an  abso- 
lute necessity  for  an  immediate  congress  of  deputies  from 
the  several  colonies,  in  order  to  deliberate  upon  and  pursue 
such  measures  as  may  radically  heal  our  present  unhappy 
disturbances,  and  settle  with  precision  the  rights  and  liber- 
ties of  America, 

5.  That  the  inhabitants  of  this  county,  confiding  in  the 
abilities  and  prudence  of  the  deputies  intended  to  be  chosen 
for  the  General  Congress,  will  cheerfully  submit  to  any 
measures  which  may  be  found  by  the  said  congress  best 
adapted  for  the  restoration  of  harmony  between  the  mother 
country  and  the  colonies,  and  for  the  security  and  firm 
establishment  of  the  rights  of  America. 

6.  That  as  the  people  of  Boston  are  now  suffering  in  the 
grand  and  common  cause  of  American  liberty.  Resolved^ 
That  it  is  the  duty  of  all  the  inhabitants  to  contribute  to 
the  support  of  the  sufferers ;  and  that  the  committee  here- 
after named  do  open  subscriptions  for  their  relief;  and 
further,  that  the  said  committee  do  lay  out  the  amount  of 
such  subscriptions  in  the  purchase  of  flour  and  other  pro- 
visions, to  be  sent  by  them  to  our  said  suffering  brethren. 


211 

7.  That  Edward  Biddle,  James  Read,  Daniel  ]3rodhead, 
Henry  Christ,  Esqrs.,  and  Christopher  Schultz,  Thomas 
Dundas,  and  Jonathan  Potts,  gentlemen,  be  and  they  are 
hereby  appointed  a  committee  to  meet  and  correspond  with 
the  committees  from  the  other  counties  in  this  Province. 


REV.   THOMAS   BARTON    TO    COL.   BURD. 

Lancaster,  December  2d,  1774. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  enclose  you  proposals  for  a  Pennsylvania 
Magazine,  The  publisher,  Mr.  Aitken,  from  Aberdeen,  is 
an  honest,  worthy  man,  well  esteemed,  and  well  qualified 
for  such  an  undertaking,  so  there  is  no  doubt  of  his  executing 
the  plan  he  offers  to  the  public  in  a  manner  that  will  give 
general  satisfaction.  I  know  you  are  a  friend  to  merit,  and 
as  there  are  several  persons  in  your  neighborhood  who  may 
be  inclined  to  encourage  this  work,  I  beg  leave,  in  Mr. 
Aitken's  name,  to  request  the  favor  of  you  to  assist  in  re- 
ceiving subscriptions  for  it,  which  you  will  be  pleased  to 
forward  before  the  end  of  the  month.  Mr.  Illing,  I  hope, 
will  lend  a  helping  hand  in  getting  some  names.  You  will 
pardon  this  freedom,  and  believe  me  to  be,  with  best  compli. 
ments  to  Mrs.  Burd,  dear  sir,  yours  affectionately, 

THOS.  BARTON. 


JUDGE   YEATES    TO    COL.    BURD,    AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  July  Wth,  1775. 

Hon.  Sir  : — Yesterday  Captain  Smith  came  to  town  with 
near  eighty  riflemen.     They  chose  him  as  Captain,  Arohi- 

L 


242 

bald  Street,  1st  Lieutenant,  Micbael  Simpson,  2d  Lieutenant, 
and  William  Cross,  3d  Lieutenant.  Our  standing  com- 
mittee approved  of  their  election,  and  sent  down  an  express 
to  the  Congress,  informing  them  of  what  had  been  done 
here,   in   consequence  of  their  circular  letter,  and 

intimating  to  them  that  another  company  had  been  formed 
in  this  town  chiefly  through  the  care  of 
ready  to  wait  their  orders.  Much  altercation  and  abuse 
arose  on  the  appointment  of  the  officers.  Young  Ross 
asserts  [he  was]  empowered  and  desired  by  Mr.  Patterson 
to  raise  men,  and  that  those  so  enlisted  by  him  were  approved 
of  by  the  committee  of  them.     Patterson 

denies  the  assertion.  The  committee  say  that  they  can 
take  notice  of  no  other  riflemen  than  such  as  are  returned 
to  them  by  the  latter,  to  whom  they  had  alone  given  orders 
to  recruit ;  and  that  Patterson  and  Ross  must  settle  that 
matter  between  themselves.  Mr.  Simpson  in  particular  is 
much  chagrined  by  the  measures  pursued,  and  so  are  very 
many  others.  Jemmy  Ross  set  oflF  post  haste  last  night  to 
Philadelphia  to  seek  redress  from  the  Congress,  for  the  ill 
usage  he  thinks  he  has  received. 

Upon  the  whole,  I  cannot  but  sincerely  lament  the  want 
of  confidence  and  union  amongst  us,  which  so  obviously 
retards  our  public  deliberations.  I  doubt  but  you  have 
heard  ere  now  your  son's  determination  to  accept  a  lieutenancy 
amongst  the  Berks  Riflemen.  He  was  approved  of  by  the 
committee  of  that  county,  and  by  the  I  wrote, 

therefore,  to  his  grandfather,  and  his  uncle  Edward,  in  hopes 
that  they  would  not  be  adverse  to  his  going  into  the  corps. 
His  grandfather  disapproved  of  his  resolution,  and  censured 
him  for  not  consulting  his  friends  before  he  formed  it.  His 
uncle  disliked  it,  and  mentioning  to   him  in   a  letter  his 


24^ 

waut  of  knowledge  in  shooting  a  rifle,  his  unacquaintance 
with  the  manner  of  woodsmen,  and  of  their  hardy  modes  of 
life  as  capital  reasons  for  his  resignation.  This  was  backed 
by  another  letter  from  Mr.  Willing  to  the  same  purpose. 
I  have  heard  yesterday  that  Mr.  Patterson  brings  the  news 
of  Neddy's  having  declined  in  consequence  of  the  joint 
opinion  of  all  his  friends,  and  that  young  Peter  Grubb  has 
got  the  appointment  in  his  room ;  but  of  this  we  have  no 
absolute  certainty,  not  having  received  any  letter  from  him 
on  the  subject.  My  sentiments  are,  it  might  have  been 
prudent  in  him  to  have  consulted  his  friends  before  he 
offered  himself  to  the  committee ;  yet  his  intentions  were  so 
virtuous  and  laudable  throughout  the  whole  proceeding, 
that  they  appear  to  me  to  palliate  if  not  to  justify  the  step 
he  has  taken.  The  qualifications  necessary  to  form  an 
oflBcer  amongst  the  riflemen  he  was  well  aware  of.  He  knew 
and  started  every  objection  himself  to  Colonel  Thomp- 
son, but  he  was  ,  and  encouraged,  and  persuaded 
by  him  to  join  the  company.  Want  of  due  consideration 
therefore  cannot  be  attributed  to  him,  but  must  be  charged 
to  another  account.  Besides  the  care  he  had  taken  of  his 
business,  in  writing  to  Jesse  Ewing  to  come  over  and 
transact  it  in  his  absence,  under  certain  terms,  shows  he 
was  neither  inattentive  to  his  own,  nor  the  interests  of  the 
country. 


EDWARD    SHIPPEN   TO   COL.    BURD,    AT   TINIAN. 

LancaMer,  July  \btli,  1775. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — We  are  glad  to  hear  of  your  recovery. 
Let  God  be  praised  for  all  his  goodness.     I  expect  every 


244 

moment  the  account  of  a  bloody  battle  at  Boston.  I  hope 
HE  has  given  us  the  victory  in  making  our  defence  against 
our  unnatural  ministerial  enemies ;  for  should  it  prove 
otherwise,  what  -will  become  of  us.  I  have  this  minute 
received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Read,  wherein  is  the  following 
paragraph.  "  I  am  pleased  that  a  day  of  humiliation  and 
fasting  is  at  hand  throughout  the  land  ;  may  our  spirits  be 
solemnized.  I  wish  that  card  playing  and  other  idle  diver- 
sions were  done  away." 


JUDGE  YEATES   TO   COL.  BURD,  AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  Sept.  22d,  1775. 

Hon.  Sir: — I  received  your  favor  of  the  19th  instant, 
and  am  glad  to  find  that  there  is  again  some  probability  of 
a  hearty  union  taking  place  in  the  remote  Townships.  From 
our  united  endeavors  and  strength  alone,  can  we  have  the 
least  prospect  of  success  in  our  present  glorious  struggle. 

Your  accepting  of  the  command  of  the  Company,  and  a 
seat  in  the  committee,  pleased  me  much. 

Had  you  declined  doing  so,  your  conduct  might  have 
been  questioned  by  many,  and  your  influence  might  have 
been  greatly  injured  in  your  neighborhood.  But  I  would 
by  all  means,  recommend  you  not  to  sit  in  the  County 
Committee,  after  your  late  refusal,  until  a  new  election 
takes  place.  This  probably  will  soon  happen.  The  County 
Committee  are  to  fix  a  ticket  to-day  here,  in  consequence  of  a 
letter  received  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  and  Observation 
in  Philadelphia.  If  anything  happens  before  this  scrawl 
is  sealed  up,  I  will  communicate  it  to  you.  From  what 
little  I  have  seen,  I  cannot  help  observing,  that  this  desire 


245 

below*  of  interfering  in  our  politics,  is  not  generally  relished 
amongst  us.  The  step  is  viewed  with  jealousy  and  mani- 
fest dislike.  It  is  thought  some  kind  of  control  over  the 
freedom  of  elections,  and  many  do  not  scruple  to  say,  that  our 
Committee  are  going  out  of  the  line  of  their  duty.  I  speak 
the  sentiments  of  others.  I  carefully  avoid  the  subject 
myself,  in  conversations. 


EDWARD   BURD   TO   EDWARD   SHIPPEN,  AT   LANCASTER. 

Prospect  Hill,  Octoher  Sd,  1775. 

Dear  and  Hon.  Sir  : — I  have  written  a  number  of 
letters  to  you,  and  my  other  friends  in  Lancaster,  many  of 
which  must  certainly  have  miscarried.  I  find  that  I  must 
not  pay  much  regard  to  the  cry  of  an  engagement  being 
likely  to  happen  soon,  as  the  same  cry  has  been  constantly 
echoed  both  before  and  since  my  arrival  at  the  camp.  When 
two  armies  are  in  sight  of  each  other,  there  must  be  con- 
stant expectation  of  an  engagement,  no  one  can  tell  whether 
the  opposite  party  will  make  an  attack  or  not.  I  think  I 
have  acted  as  a  volunteer  at  a  time,  and  long  enough  to  show 
my  hearty  disposition  and  wishes  for  the  success  of  the  cause 
we  are  engaged  in,  and  have  sacrificed  voluntarily  and  freely 
as  much,  in  proportion  to  my  circumstances,  as  any  one  of 
them  can  boast.  That  no  opportunity  has  off"ered,  since  my 
arrival,  of  my  being  in  action,  is  not  my  fault.  But  that  con- 
sideration ought  not  to  keep  me  here  to  the  ruin  of  my 
business,  and  longer  than  I  can  support  my  credit  in  the 
capacity  I  act.  Indeed,  I  live  as  frugally  as  I  possibly  can, 
and  would  be  able  to  continue  here  with  what  cash  I  have, 

•  At  Philadelphia, 


246 

a  month  longer.  But  how  must  my  business  suffer  !  I  am 
therefore  determined  to  set  off  next  week  on  my  return  to 
Pennsylvania,  and  be  at  the  Lancaster  Court  if  possible. 
When  I  shall  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  and  my 
other  friends,  increased  by  the  great  distance  I  have  been 
from  you.  Gen'l  Gage  is  going  home,  and  Gen'l  Howe 
will  command  in  his  stead.  Dr.  Church,  the  principal 
physician  in  our  army  is  confined,  for  keeping  up  a  very 
criminal  correspondence  with  the  regulars,  by  means  of  short 
hand  writing,  is  and  it  appears  that  he  has  been 

as  industrious  as  possible,  in  giving  the  enemy  intelligence 
of  our  measures  and  situation. 


JUDGE  YEATES    TO    COL.  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  Oct.  lAth,  1775. 

Honored  Sir  : — I  wrote  to  you  by  last  post,  since  which 
I  sent  you  your  new  clothes,  and  a  barrel  of  Newton's  pip- 
pins, by  one  of  your  neighbor's  wagons. 

There  is  no  late  news  here  but  what  you  must  have  heard. 
Kearsley's  infamous  conduct  has  drawn  down  on  him  the 
just  resentment  of  the  people.  He,  with  other  tories,  are 
confined  in  Philadelphia  gaol.  It  is  said  to  be  determined 
in  Congress,  that  our  troops  shall  attack  Gen.  Gage's  line 
before  his  reinforcements  arrive.  How  true  it  is,  I  cannot 
take  upon  me  to  determine.  There  is  no  doubt  but  Doctor 
Franklin,  Col.  Harrison,  and  another  of  the  delegates,  have 
set  off  for  the  camp  about  a  week  ago,  on  some  public  errand. 
By  our  last  letters,  Neddy*  was  to  leave  New  England  by 

Edward  Burd. 


the  middle  of  this  mouth,  so  that  we  may  soon  expect  his 
arrival  among  us.  God  send  us  a  speedy  peace,  upon  terms 
honorable  and  friendly  to  America. 


EDWAKIJ  BURD  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  TINIAN, 

Siinhury,  Nov.  \st,  1775. 

Dear  and  Honored  Sir  : — I  arrived  here,  after  long 
delays  and  a  little  missing  of  the  road,  the  day  before  j'es- 
terday  noon.  "We  took  a  path  that  led  into  Plouts's  valley, 
by  which  we  went  six  miles  out  of  our  road.  However,  we 
feasted  on  venison  all  the  way  up,  which  made  amends  for 
the  tediousness  and  length  of  the  road. 

There  was  a  great  talk  here  of  going  against  the  Yankees 
when  I  came  up,  but  it  has  subsided  a  good  deal.  The  snow 
and  severity  of  the  weather  coming  on,  has  made  it  a  little 
discouraging.  The  Assembly  and  Governor  are  determined 
that  the  laws  of  this  province  shall  be  executed  at  Wyoming, 
the  consequence  of  which  will  be  a  scuffle.  When  the  at- 
tempt will  be  made  I  cannot  tell,  but  I  believe  the  justices 
are  chiefly  against  it.  At  present,  whether  the  Yankees  will 
not  by  delay  grow  too  strong  to  be  attacked,  I  cannot  say. 
I  intend  to  set  ofi"  on  Saturday  for  Reading.  I  have  not  re- 
ceived a  single  farthing  yet;  bad  times  for  us  poor  lawyers. 


EDWARD  BURD  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

Reading,  Feb.  2b(h,  1776. 

Dear  and  Hon.  Sir  : — This  town  is  divided  into  dis- 
tricts; and  three  companies  arc  to  be  formed  in  it.     I  am 


248 


placed  in  the  lower  division,  quite  removed  from  tliat  part 
where  I  have  interests,  so  that  I  suppose  I  shall  not  be 
among  the  officers.  In  any  other  part  of  the  town  I  should 
have  been  chosen  without  dispute.  I  shall  have  the  less 
trouble  if  I  am  not  elected — though  there  is  some  talk  of 
making  me  Captain.  Mr.  George  Ross  is  laid  up  with  the 
gout,  here.  We  have  got  some  tories  here  that  were  taken 
by  Gren.  Schuyler.  A  member  of  the  family  of  Macdon- 
ald,  from  Scotland,  had  settled  on  the  Mohawk,  with  great 
numbers  of  that  clan.  They  were  prevailed  on  by  Sir  John 
Johnston  to  take  up  arms  against  us  in  the  back  parts  of 
New  York,  but  were  disarmed  by  Gen.  Schuyler,  and  six  of 
their  principal  men  sent  here  as  hostages. 


JUDGE   YEATES   TO   COL.    BURD,    AT    TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  March  7th,  1776. 

Hon.  Sir: — We  have  no  news.  The  expected  arrival  of 
commissioners  from  England  fills  us  with  anxious  expectation. 
I  hope  the  terms  which  they  are  empowered  to  oifer  will  be 
both  just  and  generous,  otherwise  a  negotiation  will  only 
serve  to  inflame  matters. 

A  few  warm  members  of  committee  in  Philadelphia  have 
resolved  to  call  a  provincial  convention.  The  measure,  I  am 
told,  is  so  much  condemned  by  the  thinking  people  that  it 
is  dropped  for  the  present,  until  it  is  known  what  answer 
will  be  given  by  the  house  of  Assembly  to  the  numerous 
petitions  before  them.  Absolute  necessity  alone  should  give 
birth  to  any  new  powers,  and  justify  an  innovation  in  the 
constitution. 


210 

COL.    JAMES    BURD    TO  THE    OFFICEHS    OF   THE   THREE   COM- 
PANIES  OF    UPPER   PAXTOX. 

Tinian,  April  \Qth,  1776. 

Gentlemen  : — We  received  your  very  reasonable  request* 
concerning  an  alteration  in  the  districts  of  the  three  com- 
panies of  Upper  Paxton ;  the  same  was  laid  before  the 
county  committee  by  Colonel  Burd,  Major  Cox,  and  Major 
Hummell.  The  committee  approves  of  an  alteration  agree- 
able to  the  majority  of  the  people,  with  the  approbation  of 
the  field  officers.  We  expect  all  the  officers  of  the  three 
companies  will  meet  the  officers  of  the  battalion  at  Mr. 
John  Harris',  on  Saturday  next,  at  10  o'clock  before  noon, 
where  the  field  officers  can  be  informed  of  your  alteration, 
approve,  and  make  report  thereof  to  the  county  committee 
agreeable  to  order.  You'll  please  bring  with  you  the  returns 
of  your  companies,  that  they  may  be  made  to  the  commis- 
sioners. Please  to  agree  when  and  where  we  shall  have  the 
pleasure  to  wait  upon  you  next  week  in  Upper  Paxton  to 
view  the  three  upper  companies.  Lieut.  Col.  Murray's 
indisposition  prevented  his  attendance  at  Lancaster.  \\o 
are,  with  much  esteem,  &c. 


MAJOR   BURD    TO    COL.    BURD,    AT   TINIAN. 

Reading,  July  QtJi,  1776. 

Dear  and  Hon'd  Sir  : — I  lately  went  to  Philadelphia, 
expecting  to  find  my  uncle  there  as  usual,  but  both  houses 
were  shut  up.     It  made  me  quite  melancholy;  my  uncle 

*  They  had  petitioned  Col.  Burd  for  leave  to  form  a  company  of 
their  own,  as  they  "were  much  harrassed  by  crossing  the  moun- 
tains." 

T* 


250 

Edward  Shippen  has  goue  to  the  Jerseys,  on  a  fine  farm 
•which  he  purchased  there,  about  fifty  miles  from  Philadelphia. 
I  received  a  very  kind  invitation  from  him  to  go  up  to  his 
place,  but  my  affairs  would  not  permit  it.  I  will  contrive 
before  long  to  see  them.  It  is  not  a  day's  ride  from  Easton, 
and  if  I  do  not  turn  out  with  the  militia,  it  is  possible  I  shall 
attend  that  court.  But  I  believe,  it  will  be  expected  of  me 
to  act  as  Major  in  the  militia  to  be  raised  for  a  few  months 
to  serve  in  the  middle  colonies.  If  I  am  chosen,  I  am  de- 
termined on  going,  as  I  have  no  notion  of  any  man's  refusing 
his  service  when  his  country  calls  on  him.  As  this  is  a 
sudden  emergency,  I  do  not  think  I  can  see  you  before  I  go. 
I  bought  a  house  and  lot  in  Reading,  lately,  and  hope 
what  payments  are  left  behind  will  not  be  attended  with 
any  inconvenience,  as  I  have  a  good  many  bonds,  which, 
together  with  the  rent,  will  nearly  answer  it,  supposing  all 
other  things  to  go  ill  with  me. 


EXTRACT  FROM  THE  JMINUTES  OF  CONGRESS. 
IN    CONVENTION, 

Philadelphia ,  Jvhj  19^A,  1776. 

Sir  : — The  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
having  recommended  to  this  Convention  to  hasten,  with  all 
possible  expedition,  the  march  of  the  associators  of  this 
province  into  Ntw  Jersey,  agreeable  to  a  former  request  of 
Congress,  we  do  earnestly  recommend  and  require  you  to 
send  forward  into  Nciv  Jersey  your  battalion,  or  as  many 
companies  as  can  possibly  be  armed,  with  all  possible  expe- 
dition, yielding  a  most  exact  obedience  to  the  orders  you 


251 

may  receive  from  this  Convention,  or  from  your  superior 
oflBcor,  wholly  disregarding  all  reports  concerning  the  coun- 
termanding of  orders  received  by  you  for  marching  the 
militia  of  this  province,  as  such  may  be  propagated  by  our 
enemies  for  wicked  and  destructive  purposes.  If  you  send 
forward  only  two  companies,  the  second  major  is  -to  march 
with  them;  if  only  three,  the  lieutenant-colonel,  or  firs^t 
major;  if  only  four,  the  lieutenant-colonel  and  seoond 
major;  if  only  five,  the  colonel  and  both  majors;  if  s-\x,  or 
the  whole  battalion,  then  all  the  field-officers. 

S>i/ncd  hy  Onhr  of  the  CONVENTION. 

BENJ.  FRANKLIN. 
To  James  Burd,  Esq., 

Colonel  of  his  Battalion 

of  the  Count  1/  of  Lancaster. 


JUDGE  YEATES  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  MIDDLETOWN. 

Pittshury,  July  2dth,  1776. 
Honored  Sir  :  —  I  got  up  here  safely  last  Saturday, 
having  waited  a  week  at  Carlisle  for  Mr.  Montgomery.  We 
find  that  the  holding  of  our  treaty  with  the  Indians  must 
be  deferred  until  the  latter  end  of  September,  as  it  will  be 
impracticable  for  any  number  of  them  to  come  in  earlier. 
This  will  cause  me  a  most  disagreeable  stay  of  two  or  three 
months  in  this  place,  yet  it  cannot  be  avoided.  I  am  in 
hopes  the  treaty  will  be  a  general  one,  yet  I  sometimes 
fear  the  savages  will  be  intimidated  from  siding  with  us, 
by  our  ill  success  in  Canada.  No  step  should  be  omitted, 
that  may  possibly  prevent  an  Indian  war ;  I  have  no  expec- 
tations from  the  Six  Nations.     They  arc  too  much  attached 


252 

to  Sir  John  Johnston.  I  am  quite  flitigucd  with  writing, 
having  been  constantly  engaged  in  that  business  since 
coming  here. 

EDWARD  SIIirPEN  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  November  Ith,  177G. 
Dear  Mr.  Burd  :  —  I  am  this  minute  returned  from 
the  Committee.  Mr.  Yeates  writes  his  wife  of  the  14th 
ultimo,  that  he  had,  two  days  before,  received  a  letter  from 
Neddy  Burd,  part  of  the  way  by  water,  (I  suppose  via  Vir- 
ginia, for  he  wrote  from  shipboard,)  acquainting  him  that 
he  was  well,  and  very  politely  treated*  by  General  Grant, 
Majors  Leslie  and  Batt.  But  we  have  -had  no  letter  from 
him  yet — for  want  of  an  opportunity.  We  are  glad  to 
hear  of  your  recovery ;  blessed  be  God  for  all  his  goodness. 
Mr.  Yeates  writes  that  the  Delawares  and  Shawanese  were 
coming  into  the  council-fire,  and  that  he  hoped  the  meeting 
would  be  amicable,  though  he  was  apprehensive  peace  would 
be  of  no  long  duration ;  some  few  people  had  been  murdered 
about  seventy  miles  from  Fort  Pitt.  Some  people  say  that 
Benjamin  Franklin  is  sent  to  France,  but  this  account  is  not 
confirmed.  I  say  nothing  about  politics  in  letters.  Your 
brother,  E.  S.,  has  removed  all  his  family  back  to  Phila- 
delphia. I  imagine  he  does  not  like  the  power  given  to  two 
magistrates,  of  calling  any  gentleman  in  that  government 
before  them,  by  warrant  or  summons,  upon  a  bare  sus- 
picion of  their  being  tories,  and  obliging  him  to  give  bail 
for  his  appearance  at  the  next  court  of  quarter  sessions; 
and  if  he  will  not  or  cannot  give  bail,  he  must  be  sent  to 
prison. 

*  He  was  a  prisoner. 


r.  S.  —  I  don't  expect  to  enjoy  any  post  in  the  Ciovcni- 
ment  two  weeks  longer.  I  have  received  a  few  shillings 
as  Recorder  of  Deeds  and  Deputy  Register,  but  scarcely 
enough  to  buy  salt  for  my  porridge.  I  must  therefore  be 
casting  about  for  a  country  settlement,  as  well  as  my  chil- 
dren, and  Mr.  Allen  and  his  three  sons,  Johnny,  Andrew, 
and  Jemmy.  ]3ut  all  at  a  proper  time.  I  can  scarce  read 
my  letters,  for  want  of  better  spectacles,  and  there  is  not  a 
pair  to  be  had  in  this  town. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  JAMES  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  Nov.  14/7i,  1776. 

Dear  Mr  Burd  : — Being  just  come  from  the  Committee, 
I  find  your  and  my  dear  daughter's  letters  to  each  of  us,  and 
we  thank  you  for  your  kind  offer  of  your  stone  house,  tljough 
so  much  to  your  own  disadvantage.  But  out  of  love  for 
yourself  and  faniily,  it  would  be  with  the  greatest"  reluctance 
we  should  accept  of  it.  When  we  are  obliged  to  move  away, 
we  shall  let  you  know  our  resolutions,  as  we  shall  do  to  our 
other  two  children.  But  keep  these  hints  to  yourselves.  We 
are  daily  in  expectation  of  hearing,  if  not  seeing,  poor  Neddy 
Burd.  I  must  go  presently  to  Committee  again.  I  understand 
our  Assembly  is  to  meet  at  Philadelphia  on  the  20th  instant, 
and  that  Lord  Howe,  and  his  brother  the  General,  went  to 
visit  the  city  of  Philadelphia ;  but  I  hope  the  season,  by 
the  kind  disposition  of  Providence,  will  disappoint  them. 


254 
MAJOR  BURD  TO  COL.  BURD,    AT   TINIAN. 

Philadelphia,  Dec.  12th,  1776. 

Dear  and  Honored  Sir  : — I  am  at  last  so  fortunate  as 
to  be  exchanged,  though  it  happened  not  by  intention,  but 
accident.  General  Washington  sent  about  ten  or  twelve 
prisoners  to  New  York,  and  intended  to  name  the  persons 
who  were  to  be  sent  in  exchange ;  but  Gen.  Howe  took  the 
first  Major,  Captains,  Lieutenants,  &c.,  who  happened  to  be 
on  his  list  of  prisoners,  and  sent  them  in  exchange.  I  hap- 
pened to  be  the  first  Major,  and  was  therefore  so  lucky  as  to 
be  returned.  General  "Washington  was  surprised  to  see  me. 
However,  he  was  so  polite  as  to  tell  me,  that  from  the  cha- 
racter I  bore  he  was  satisfied  with  my  being  the  person, 
though  he  did  not  like  the  mode,  especially  as  I  was  in  a 
Standing  Regiment.  I  do  not  know  what  he  could  mean 
by  that,  as  the  time  of  our  regiment  will  expire  by  the  first 
of  June  next,  and  I  am  sure  the  men  will  not  stay  a  day 
longer. 


CH.    J.    SnirPEN,    TO    HIS    FATHER,    AT   LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  January  18^7i,  1777. 

Hon'd  Sir: — I  send  you  by  Mr.  Adam  Zantzinger,  the 
sum  of  one  hundred  pounds,  which  you  requested.  Your 
condition,  with  regard  to  the  income  of  your  oflaces  is  to  be 
lamented,  and  the  only  consolation  you  can  have,  is  that 
everybody  else  is  in  the  same  situation.  How  long  matters 
may  thus  continue,  cannot  be  known,  yet  I  think  another 
summer  must  necessarily  show  us  our  fate.  If  the  war 
should  continue  longer  than  that,  we  are  all  ruined  as  to  our 


estates,  whatever  may  be  the  state  of  our  liberties.  The 
scarcity  and  advanced  price  of  every  necessary  of  life  makes 
it  extremely  diflScult  for  those,  who  have  large  families  and 
no  share  in  the  present  measures  to  carry  them  through, 
and  nothing  but  the  strictest  frugality  will  enable  us  to  do 
it.  I  think  my  brother's  situation  a  very  eligible  one.  lie 
is  comfortably  settled  at  a  distance  from  the  scat  of  war, 
which  causes  the  utmost  devastation  and  desolation  wherever 
it  comes.  I  thought  when  I  purchased  in  Jersey,  I  should 
have  been  in  the  same  situation,  but  it  seems  the  country  at 
no  great  distance  from  it,  is  entirely  laid  waste,  though  I 
have  reason  to  think  my  farm  is  not  injured  at  present.  I 
live  near  the  falls  of  Schuylkill,  a  very  clever  retired  place, 
yet  am  in  daily  apprehension  of  every  house  in  town  being 
filled  with  soldiers,  which  has  been  the  fate  of  all  which 
have  been  left  empty.  In  order  to  prevent  this  I  now  go 
to  town  almost  every  day,  that  I  may  be  seen  in  and  about 
my  house ;  which  is  constantly  opened  every  day,  and  has 
all  the  appearance  of  being  inhabited,  and  is  really  lodged 
in  by  two  or  three  women  every  night.  By  this  means  I 
hope  to  escape  the  mischief.  I  have  lately  had  an  affliction 
of  another  kind.  My  son  Neddy  was  sent  on  an  errand  by 
his  master  into  Jersey,  where  he  staid  longer  than  his 
business  required.  In  order  to  avoid  being  pressed  in  the 
militia  service,  when  General  Ilowe  had  advanced  as  far  as 
Trenton,  and  it  was  thought  he  was  making  his  way  to 
Philadelphia,  Neddy  was  prevailed  upon  by  Johnny, 
'  Andrew,  and  Biliy  Allen,  to  go  in  with  them  to  the  British 
army,  which  he  accordingly  did,  and  was  civilly  received 
there  by  General  Howe  and  the  British  oiKcers.  His  com- 
panions soon  after  went  to  New  York,  and  Neddy  remained 
at  Trenton.     When  the  attack  was  made  on  the  Hessians 


256 

there,  he  was  accordingly  taken  prisoner  by  our  army,  and 
carried,  with  others,  to  General  Washington,  who,  after 
examining  his  case,  and  finding  he  had  taken  no  commission, 
nor  done  any  act  that  showed  him  inimical,  very  kindly 
discharged  him,  and  he  is  now  with  us.  Though  I  highly 
disapprove  of  what  he  had  done,  yet  I  could  not  condemn 
him  as  much  as  I  should  have  done,  if  he  had  not  been 
enticed  to  it  by  those  who  were  much  older,  and  ought  to 
have  judged  better  than  himself. 


CH.    J.    SHIPPEN   TO    HIS    FATHER,   AT   LANCASTER. 

PMlaclelplda,  March  llth,  1777. 

Honored  Sir  : — The  complexion  of  the  times  is  still 
bad,  I  know  not  when  there  will  be  any  alteration  for 
the  better.  I  mean  that  peace  (the  most  desirable  of  all 
human  conditions,)  seems  at  as  great  a  distance  as  ever. 
General  Howe  in  all  probability  will  be  in  Philadelphia,  in 
a  month  or  two,  having  been  reinforced,  (as  it  is  said,)  at 
Brunswick,  and  General  Washington's  army  in  no  condition 
to  prevent  him,  but  his  coming  to  Philadelphia  will  only 
be  the  introduction  of  all  the  calamities  of  war  in  Pennsylva- 
nia. Philadelphia  will  be  as  a  place  besieged  by  the  Ameri- 
can army,  and  the  country  will  be  laid  waste  by  the  two 
contending  parties.  In  this  dreadful  situation  of  affairs  I  am 
at  a  loss  to  know  how  to  dispose  of  my  family.  Advantages 
and  disadvantages  present  themselves  by  turns,  whether 
I  determine  to  remain  in  Philadelphia  or  remove  to  a  distance. 
Your  situation  is  better.  You  are  already  at  a  distance 
from  the  seat  of  war,  and  may  remove  still  further  if  neces- 
sary.     Yet  no  situation  is  actually  exempt  from  a  possi- 


257 

bility  of  danger.  We  must  make  the  best  of  it.  I  presume 
your  ofl&ce  will  get  into  other  hands.  I  understand  Peter 
Hoofnagle  intends  to  stand  candidate  for  it;  you  can  certainly 
not  expect  it  unless  you  give  up  the  old  government,  and 
swear  allegiance  to  the  new  one,  together  with  the  oath  of 
abjuration  of  King  George  the  Third.  In  these  times  I 
shall  consider  a  private  station  as  a  post  of  honor,  and  if  I 
cannot  raise  my  fortune  as  high  as  my  desires,  I  can  bring 
down  my  desires  to  my  fortune,  "  the  wants  of  our  nature 
are  easily  supplied,  and  the  rest  is  but  folly  and  care." 

31arcTi  2(}th,  1777. 
Since  writing  the  above  I  am  favored  with  yours  of  the 
15th  inst.,  with  copies  of  John  Hubley's  letter,  and  your 
answer,  which  I  think  very  proper.  What  plan  you  have 
formed  for  the  future  you  don't  mention,  nor  is  it  easy  to 
advise.  Nothing,  however,  should  be  determined  with  too 
much  precipitation.  At  your  advanced  age  it  is  a  serious 
matter  to  go  into  a  new  course  of  life.  The  management  of 
a  farm  is  more  proper  for  a  man  in  the  prime  of  life  than  in 
his  decline,  when  nature  calls  for  ease  of  body,  as  well  as 
ease  of  mind.  A  little  time  may  possibly  enable  you  to 
form  some  resolution  upon  the  subject,  more  to  your  satisfac- 
tion than  at  present.  As  to  resigning  your  commision  to 
Governor  Penn  there  is  not  the  least  occasion  for  it. 


JUDGE   YEATES    TO    COL.    BURD,    AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  March  2Qth,  1777. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — I  promised  Henry  Davis  to  write  to  you, 
upon  the  return  of  Mr.  Baily  from  Philadelphia,  respecting 


259 

the  establishment  of  a  regular  post  rider  here.  I  cannot  yet 
find  any  great  probability  of  Jtg  being  done  soon;  every 
article  of  expense  on  the  road  is  so  greatly  augmented  that 
it  will  require  treble  the  former  sum  subscribed  to  enable  a 
person  undertaking  it  to  make  both  ends  meet.  If  any 
settled  plan  takes  place,  I  will  acquaint  you  of  it  for  Davis' 
information.  I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Slough, 
of  Philadelphia.  He  writes  to  me  that  'on  the  27th  inst.  in- 
'  formation  was  given  to  the  Board  of  War,  that  some  persons 
'  in  and  about  the  city  had  prevailed  on  our  pilots  to  bring 
'  the  British  fleet  up  the  Delaware ;  search  was  immediately 
'  made,  and  the  person  originally  concerned  was  soon  appre- 
'  hended  and  brought  before  the  Board,  when  upon  examina- 
'  tion  of  the  pilots  who  were  so  engaged,  it  appeared  that  the 
'  person  had  given  each  of  them  fifty  guineas  in  part  for 
'  putting  this  design  into  execution.  It  is  apprehended  that 
'  some  people  in  the  town  furnished  him  with  the  cash ;  the 
'  person's  name  is  Molesworth,  and  has  served  as  clerk  to  every 
*  Mayor  of  the  city,  for  twelve  or  more  years  past ;  it  is 
'  thought  examples  will  be  made  very  speedily. 

'  There  is  nothing  new  from  the  camp,  except  that  the 
'  enemy  are  preparing  to  move  from  here,  and  the  people  in 
'  Philadelphia  are  much  ashamed  that  they  should  receive  the 
'  first  visit.'  I  find  from  the  letter  and  every  other  account, 
that  we  probably  shall  have  much  confusion  and  disorder 
before  the  new  constitution  is  fairly  fixed.  Many  are  de- 
termined to  oppose  it  at  all  events,  and  many  to  support  it 
at  all  hazards.  I  have  not  time  nor  patience  to  mention  in 
how  many  instances  the  Assembly  has  infringed  the  inviolahle 
frame  of  government,  or  to  point  out  the  impropriety  of  some 
late  appointments ;  it  is  sufiicient  to  say  that  the  late  steps 
give   infinite   dissatisfaction  to  the   men  of  property  and 


259 
understanding.      The  clamors  of  the  red-hot  patriots 

HAVE  SUBSIDED  INTO  EASY  PLACES  AND  OFFICES  OF  PROFIT  ! 

The  posts  of  mere  trust  go  a  begging !  No  one  can  be 
found  to  accept  them  !  Whenever  I  reflect  on  the  times,  I 
am  seized  with  the  blue  devils.  I  walk  about  the  room  in 
a  sweat,  look  at  my  family,  and  wish  them  and  myself  out 
of  the  way  of  vexation.  Sally  tells  me,  Peggy  is  not  to  cut 
out  her  ruffles  until  she  can  send  her  up  a  pattern. 
Col.  Hand  sets  off  in  the  morning  for  camp. 


JUDGE   YEATES   TO   COL.  BURD,  AT    TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  Oct.  3d,  1777. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — I  have  received  your  favor  of  the  1st 
instant,  with  8s.  9c?.  I  send  you  the  pound  of  chalk  by  the 
post,  which  cost  only  9d.  My  letters  to  Neddy  by  Bakis- 
toes,  gave  the  most  particular  account  of  everything  I 
could  learn  in  the  way  of  news.  Since  that  time,  we  heard 
that  the  Delaware  frigate  was  taken  off  Philadelphia,  with- 
out much  opposition ;  the  ship  struck  to  a  few  cannon 
planted  on  a  wharf  by  the  British  troops.  The  chcvaux- 
de-frize  are  not  yet  weighed ;  the  row  galleys  and  battery 
on  Mud  Island,  having  hitherto  prevented  the  English  ships 
coming  up.  The  meadows  opposite  that  Island  are  laid 
under  water,  by  the  banks  being  thrown  down,  to  prevent 
the  approaches  of  the  enemy. 

It  is  said  that  Lord  Coruwallis  has  been  appointed  Gover- 
nor, and  Jo.  Galloway,  Lieutenant  Governor  of  Philadelphia. 
Mr.  Penn  and  Mr.  Dulaney  rode  out  to  meet  Gen'l  Howe, 
and  earnestly  entreated  him  to  save  Philadelphia  from 
plunder.  The  city,  as  we  learn,  escaped,  but  John  Lawrence, 


260 

near  the  Falls,  had  everything  swept  away  by  the  soldiers. 
The  truth  of  these  things  I  cannot  vouch  for;  in  the  nature 
of  such  things  we  can  only  look  to  common  reports  as  our 
authority. 

Greneral  Washington,  we  are  told,  is  at  Frankford,  with 
his  army.  We  expect  every  hour  to  hear  of  his  attacking 
Gen'l  Howe.  He  has  received  some  very  strong  reinforce- 
ments, and  large  bodies  of  Virginians  are  daily  passing 
through  this  town  to  head  quarters.  A  general  engagement 
will  in  all  probability,  decide  the  events  of  this  campaign. 


JUDGE   YEATES   TO    COL.  BURD,  AT    TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  Nov.  7,  1777. 

Hon.  Sir  : — I  sent  you  by  the  boy,  the  bushel  of  salt 
on  a  little  pony  of  my  son's.  There  is  no  such  thing  as  a 
waggon  to  be  had  going  up  the  road. 

Lord  Sterling  and  his  Aid-de-Camp,  have  been  at  our 
house  these  two  days.  There  is  no  getting  to  bed  at  our 
usual  hour.  I  am  almost  tired  of  it.  His  Lordship  is  very 
sanguine,  that  a  few  weeks  will  fully  settle  the  fate  of  Gene- 
ral Howe's  Army.  He  speaks  of  those  who  choose  to  con- 
tinue in  Philadelphia,  with  pity  for  their  situation. 

Our  Assembly  are  met, — to  do  great  matters,  I  suppose. 
The  Court  bell  rings  as  formerly,  but  I  go  not  near  them. 


JUDGE   YEATES   TO    COL.  BURD,  AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  Nov.  25fh,  1777. 

Hon.  Sir  : — We  have  some  reports  in  town  that  Fort 
Mercer,  on  Red  Bank,  is  still  in  our  possession.     According 


2f)t 

to  others,  Lord  Cornwallis  took  it  on  Saturday  last.  We 
know  not  which  to  believe ;  for  my  part  I  fear  the  worst. 
One  John  Brown,  was  confined  in  jail  a  few  days  ago,  by 
orders  of  the  Council.  I  have  seen  his  examination,  the 
purport  of  which  is,  that  he  came  out  of  Philadelphia 
on  the  5th  instant,  being  requested  thereto  by  Mr.  Thomas 
Willing,  who  showed  him  a  written  message  to  him  (Mr. 
W.,)  from  General  Howe,  that  he  was  desirous  of  prevent- 
ing the  further  effusion  of  human  blood.  Mr.  Willing 
informed  him,  that  in  a  conversation  which  passed  between 
Sir  William  Howe  and  himself,  the  General  assured  him 
that  his  brother,  Lord  Howe  and  Sir  William,  had  fullj, 
power  to  accommodate  the  present  matters,  and  for  that 
purpose,  could  treat  with  Congress  or  any  other  person. 
That  they  were  willing  to  put  us  in  the  same  situation  that 
we  were  in  previous  to  the  year  1763,  and  even  grant  us 
better  terms.  That  if  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was 
rescinded,  they  would  withdraw  their  fleet  and  army,  and 
would  not  require  the  disbanding  of  our  troops,  until  the 
agreement  should  receive  the  sanction  of  Parliament,  and 
that  they  would  allow  the  sinking  of  our  continental  cur- 
rency in  our  own  way.  Brown  gave  his  word  of  honor  to 
Mr.  Willing,  that  he  would  not  acquaint  any  one  of  his 
errand,  until  he  had  intimated  it  to  some  member  of  con- 
gress. He  accordingly  went  to  when  he 
mentioned  it  to  Mr.  Morris  and  Mr.  Davis,  when  he 
came  to  he  was  taken  up  by  the  Coun- 
cil, and  the  affirmation  of  allegiance  was  tendered  to  him, 
but  was  at  length  admitted  to  bail  by  the  intercession  of  the 
above  two  gentlemen,  who  became  surety  for  him.  From 
hence  he  went  to  Yorktown,  and  was  from  thence  ordered 
back  for  examination.      The  Council  have  ordered  him  into 


262 

limbo.  I  would  observe  to  you,  that  Brown  has  done  busi- 
ness for  Willing  and  Morris  these  ten  years  past,  has  the 
entire  confidence  of  them  both,  and  is  universally  respected, 
and  a  strictly  honest  man.  Considering  all  matters,  I  fear 
we  are  ill  disposed  to  an  accommodation.  Mr.  Shippen  re- 
mains very  ill,  every  one  else  is  in  good  health  amongst  us. 


JUDGE   YEATES   TO    COL.    BURD,    AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  December  \^th,  1777. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — Capt.  Crouch  delivered  your  letters  within 
this  hour,  so  that  my  answers  to  your  questions  cannot  be 
as  full  as  I  could  wish.  It  is  generally  believed  that  the 
chevaux-de-frize  have  been  raised,  I  do  not  know  however 
that  any  certain  news  has  been  received  on  the  subject,  that 
could  impede  them  from  accomplishing  it  for  so  many  weeks, 
when  every  succor  of  provisions  depended  on  their  exertions 
in  this  particular.  There  was  no  battle  fought  near  White- 
marsh,  the  two  armies  were  drawn  up  within  view  of  each 
other,  but  our  situation  being  exceedingly  advantageous  on 
the  summit  of  a  high  hill.  Gen.  Howe  did  not  think  proper 
to  risk  an  attack.  On  Thursday,  Lord  Cornwallis  came  out 
of  Philadelphia  with  4,000  men,  attacked  the  militia  under 
Greneral  Potts,  and  drove  them  oflP,  and  also  the  main  body, 
for  about  eight  miles,  killing,  and  taking  many  prisoners. 
The  militia,  it  is  said,  behaved  in  their  usual  way,  very  ill. 
The  enemy  are  now  all  gone  into  Philadelphia,  and  our  head- 
quarters are  at  the  light-house,  about  twenty-five  miles  from 
Philadelphia.  In  the  late  excursion  of  the  enemy  from 
Philadelphia,  they  committed  great  devastation,  and  were 


263 

guilty  of  many  cruelties.  They  stripped  families  of  all  de- 
nominations, of  clothes,  bedding,  and  everything  they  could 
lay  their  hands  upon,  making  fires  of  the  furniture. 

It  is  told  us  that  the  assembly  are  busied  in  making  a  law 
to  repeal  the  militia  act,  and  proposing  a  commutation  of 
money  for  actual  service.  This  is  done  under  the  recom- 
mendation of  Congress,  who  has  required  of  each  state  a  new 
quota  of  men  for  the  Continental  army ;  a  law  of  this  kind 
would  be  of  infinite  service  to  the  community.  A  letter  has 
this  morning  been  received,  giving  an  account  that  Lord 
Cornwallis,  Parson  Duche,  and  several  Quakers,  have  lately 
embarked  for  England.  Duche  lately  wrote  a  very  foolish 
letter  to  General  Washington,  which  I  suppose  somewhat 
afi"rights  him,  when  he  finds  that  America  is  not  so  €asy  a 
conquest  as  he  once  believed.  If  I  can  procure  a  copy  of 
the  letter  I  will  send  it  to  you. 


JUDGE   YEATES    TO   COL.    BTIRD,  AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  Dcceml>er  26/7i,  1777. 

IIon'd  Sir  : — I  have  received  your  favor  by  J.  Evans, 
and  now  send  you  up  a  copy  of  Duche' s  letter  to  General 
Washington.  I  have  just  finished  transcribing  it.  The 
Congress  and  gentlemen  of  the  army  would,  I  fancy,  show 
but  little  mercy  to  the  parson,  if  he  was  in  their  power. 
.  They  are  particularly  reflected  on  with  much  severity,  in  the 
letter,  indeed,  I  think,  with  circumstances  of  high  aggrava- 
tion. There  are,  however,  some  melancholy  truths  contained 
in  it,  which  I  ardently  wish  could  not  be  told.  The  most 
exceptionable  part  of  it  to  me,  seems  that  passage  wherein 
he  exhorts  the  General  to  negotiate  for  America,  at  the  head 


264 

of  his  army,  if  Congress  should  not  assent  to  his  proposals. 
This  is  plainly  advising  him  to  commit  a  flagrant  breach  of 
trust.  It  is  true,  Gcul.  Monk,  before  the  revolution,  played 
the  same  game  with  success  and  advantage  to  himself.  I 
can  only  reply  in  the  words  of  Shakspeare,  "Tho'  I  love  the 
treason,  yet  my  soul  abhors  the  traitor."  You  will  be  able 
to  form  your  own  judgment  of  the  letter.  Your  strictures, 
however,  on  it,  should  not  be  trusted  to  every  conveyance. 
When  you  have  perused  and  done  with  the  letter  be  pleased 
to  forward  it  to  me  by  some  safe  hand,  as  I  propose  sending 
it  up  to  Fort  Pitt,  and  copies  are  to  be  had  with  great  difii- 
culty.  I  also  enclose  you  a  copy  of  verses  on  the  celebrated 
urn  of  Doctor  Franklin.  They  are,  in  my  opinion,  exceedingly 
well  wrote,  and  contain  the  true  Attic  salt.  The  authoress, 
Miss  Norris,  acquired  much  political  reputation  by  them  in 
Philadelphia.*  There  is  but  little  news  stirring.  We  hear 
that  a  party  of  the  enemy  are  gone  towards  Chester,  to  forage. 
Ten  or  twelve  detachments  are  sent  in  quest  of  them,  who 
are  determined  to  give  no  quarters.  Morgan's  riflemen  are 
determined  to  scalp,  and  the  light-horse  to  dispatch  their 
prisoners.  It  seems  this  resolution  was  taken  on  their  being 
informed  that  a  party  of  the  British  light-horse,  having  taken 
two  of  our  soldiers,  inquired  of  their  officer  what  they  should 
do  with  their  prisoners  ?  He  answez-ed,  "  Give  no  quarters, 
murder  them."  They  accordingly  dispatched  one  and  gave 
the  other  many  wounds,  but  he  survived  to  tell  the  horrid 
tale  to  our  army,  who  were  greatly  inflamed  by  his  account. 
Mr.  Sam.  Meridith  brought  up  this  account  yesterday  from 
head-quarters,  and  I  believe  it  may  be  depended  upon  as 
truth.     Such  brutalities  and  retaliations  must  aggravate  in  a 

*  Unfortunately,  the  verses  are  missing. 


265 

ten-fold  degree  the  horrors  of  war.     "We  sink  from  men  into 
savages,  by  such  inhuman  conduct. 

I  hear  our  assembly  have  agreed  on  suspending  the  habeas 
corpus  act  for  three  months.  If  anything  further  occurs 
before  Hans  sets  off,  I  will  communicate  it  to  you. 

Decemher  ^lUi,  Vill . 

I  have  just  seen  the  draft  of  a  law  which  has  just  been 
read  the  second  time,  and  is  published  for  consideration.  The 
purport  of  the  law  is,  to  direct  that  all  persons  trading  ia 
wine,  rum,  grain,  clothes,  linen,  bar  iron,  nails,  rods,  shoes, 
whiskey,  wool,  cotton,  (with  a  long  etc.)  or  other 
wares  or  merchandise,  shall  take  out  licenses  for  that  purpose, 
from  commissioners  to  be  appointed  in  the  respective  coun- 
ties, for  which  they  are  to  pay  five  shillings.  That  licenses 
are  to  be  granted  to  those  only  who  have'  taken  the  oath  or 
affirmation  of  allegiance  and  abjuration,  and  are  friends  to 
freedom  and  independence.  That  previous  to  obtaining  a 
license  they  are  to  give  in  an  exact  account  of  their  goods 
on  hand,  on  oath  or  affirmation,  &c.,  &c.  This. law  will 
probably  make  a  great  deal  of  confusion  among  us.  I  would 
send  you  up  a  copy  of  it,  but  cannot  get  one.  Oh !  tempora. 
Oh !  mores. 


EDAVARD    SHIPPEN    TO    COL.   BURD,    AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  June  30(h,  1778. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : —    :tc     *****    j  suppose 

there  have  gone  to  Philadelphia  this  week  at  least  a  dozen 

families,  and  more  are  removing.     The  president  and  council 

left  the  borough  last  week,  and  most  of  the  congress  passed 

M 


266 

through  it  yesterday.  Dunlop  (the  printer)  is  now 
putting  his  furniture  and  press  into  a  wagon,  going  off  ad 
urbem,  so  that  we  can't  expect  any  newspapers  in  less  than 
ten  days  from  this  time. 

Mr.  Yeates  has  gone  to  Phih\delphia,  aud  we  shall  look 
for  him  next  Monday  night.  ^ 


CHIEF  JUSTICE   SHIPPEN   TO   HIS   FATHER,  AT   LANCASTER. 

PTiiladeJjpliia,  July  3(7,  1778. 

Hon'd  Sir  :— I  did  not  understand  by  your  letters  con- 
cerning Pultney's  ground  rent,  that  you  meant  to  be  paid 
in  half  joes,  as  no  such  thing  is  now  at  all  expected,  that 
commodity  being  merely  a  merchandise. 

As  to  Galloway's  expression  to  my  brother  about  not 
selling  the  house  on  your  account,  it  was  a  low,  dirty  pre- 
tence, as  every  body  knows  selling  real  estate  for  continental 
money  has  been  avoided,  though  a  great  nominal  price  might 
be  offered.  When  I  mentioned  drawing  on  me  for  two  years' 
rent,  I  certainly  meant  continental  money,  as  it  would  be 
utterly  impossible  for  me  to  pay  in  gold,  having  been  drained 
and  put  to  the  greatest  shifts  to  procure  sufficient  to  subsist 
my  family  during  the  residence  of  the  British  troops  here, 
when  no  other  money  would  pass,  and  every  kind  of  pro- 
vision a  treble  price.  I  have  sent  you  by  Mr.  Yeates,  half 
a  dozen  pounds  of  chocolate,  but  I  am  afraid  it  will  be  very 
difficult  to  procure  Madeira  wine  at  any  price,  the  only  pipe 
I  have  heard  of  for  sale  was  limited  at  either  eight  or  nine 
hundred  pounds;  I  will  keep  a  look  out,  and  if  possible 
procure  you  some.     There  is  no  such  thing  as  syrup,  the 


267 


sugar  bakers  having  all  dropt  the  business  a  long  while.  It 
is  possible  after  some  time  there  may  be  an  importation  of 
French  molasses ;  if  so,  I  will  try  to  get  you  some. 


JUDGE  YEATES  TO  COL.  BURD,  PAXTON  TOWNSHIP. 

Lancaster,  October  \Otli,  1778. 

IIon'd  Sir  : — I  have  been  doing  little  for  these  ten  days 
past,  but  electioneering.  Matters  have  come  at  length  to 
that  pass,  that  it  becomes  every  good  man  to  turn  out,  and 
endeavor  to  procure  a  proper  representation  for  the  county 
he  lives  in.  The  many  violations  of  the  Constitution  by  the 
late  Assembly  have  given  the  people  at  large  the  most  gene- 
ral uneasiness  and  disgust,  and  strike  the  most  ignorant  with 
the  propriety  of  an  exertion  at  the  ensuing  election.  A 
ticket  has  been  formed  here  this  day,  which  will  run  well 
in  the  district,  and  if  there  should  be  a  division  in  other 
districts,  however  small,  will  probably  be  attended  with  suc- 
cess. Will  not  the  people  about  Middletown  vote?  Be 
good  enough  to  try.  We  have  written  to  Col.  Cox  on  the 
subject,  and  enclosed  him  a  ticket.  Every  moment's  delay 
is  attended  with  danger.  In  the  city  of  Philadelphia  and 
other  counties,  every  nerve  will  be  strained  to  effect  a 
change  of  men  and  measures.  It  is  very  generally  believed 
that  a  French  and  Spanish  war  is  declared.  Dominic  is 
taken  by  the  French,  and  a  descent  on  Jamaica  is  meditated. 
It  is  said  the  Spanish  have  blocked  up  Gibraltar.  A  gene- 
ral European  war  seems  inevitable. 

The  Oyer  and  Terminer  Court  will  sit  some  weeks  longer 
in  Philadelphia.  Abraham  Carlyle  has  received  sentence 
of  death.     John  Roberts  is  convicted ;  Jacob  Meng  is  con- 


268 

victed.  Poor  Billy  Hamilton's  trial  comes  on  this  week, 
and  his  friends  are  very  uneasy  on  his  account.  The  city 
is  in  the  greatest  ferment.  Most  good  men  wish  for  an  act 
of  oblivion.  The  British  troops  have  destroyed  all  the  salt- 
works and  vessels  at  Egg  Harbor. 

A  message  was  lately  sent  to  Congress  by  the  General 
and  Admiral,  expressing  their  firm  determination  to  burn 
all  the  seaport  and  other  accessible  towns,  unless  the  Con- 
vention of  Saratoga  was  complied  with.  Congress  replied, 
that  their  letter  was  too  insolent  to  receive  an  answer,  and 
put  them  at  defiance.     Thus  stand  we  at  present. 


CH.  J.  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  AT  LANCASTER. 

Philadelphia,  Decemher  21s<,  1778. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — I  received  your  favor  of  the  16th  inst., 
acquainting  me  with  the  sale  of  Mr.  Galloway's  house  to 
Mr.  Yeates.  I  had  some  desire  to  make  the  purchase  on 
my  own  account  as  well  as  yours,  as  it  is  not  very  unlikely 
I  shall  find  myself  under  the  necessity  of  removing  from 
this  scene  of  expense;  and  I  don't  know  where  I  could 
more  properly  go  than  to  Lancaster.  The  common  articles 
of  life,  such  as  are  absolutely  necessary  for  a  family,  are  not 
much  higher  here  than  at  Lancaster,  but  the  style  of  life 
my  fashionable  daughters  have  introduced  into  my  family, 
and  their  dress,  will,  I  fear,  before  long,  oblige  me  to  change 
the  scene.  The  expense  of  supporting  my  family  here  will 
not  fall  short  of  four  or  five  thousand  pounds  per  annum,  an 
expense  insupportable  without  business.  I  have  at  last  com- 
pleted my  purchase  in  Chester  county,  greatly  to  my  satis- 
faction, and  have  sold  my  Jersey  estate  for  nine  thousand 


269 

pounds ;  so  tliat  if  I  should  live  in  Lancaster,  I  can  be  sup- 
plied with  a  variety  of  necessaries  from  my  own  farm,  which 
is  about  twenty-four  miles  from  thence,  with  a  very  good 
road  all  the  way. 

The  orchard  I  must  now  defer  planting  till  the  spring ; 
if  you  could  in  the  meantime  secure  me  the  first  choice  of 
the  best  apple-trees  in  the  nursery  you  mentioned,  it  would 
be  very  well.  I  gave  my  daughter  Betsy  to  Neddy  Burd 
last  Thursday  evening,  and  all  is  jollity  and  mirth.  My 
youngest  daughter  is  much  solicited  by  a  certain  General, 
on  the  same  subject;  whether  this  will  take  jDlace  or  not, 
depends  upon  circumstances.  If  it  should,  I  think  it  will 
not  be  till  spring.  What  other  changes  in  my  family  may 
take  place  to  forward  or  prevent  my  removal  from  Philadel- 
phia, is  still  uncertain.  As  to  the  sale  of  Shippensburgh,  I 
would  not  advise  you  to  think  of  it  unless  you  can  before- 
hand meet  with  something  to  lay  the  money  out  in  which 
would  yield  you  a  better  income. 


EDWARD  SHIPPEN  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  January  2d,  1779. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  . — I  have  forwarded  your  letter  to  Neddy 
Burd,  from  whom  I  am  in  daily  expectance  of  receiving  a 
letter.  We  hear  he  was  married  the  17th  instant.  Allowance 
must  be  made  for  his  not  writing,  as  soon  as  expected,  in 
these  cases.  The  young  couple  are  happy,  and  that  is 
enough.  We  understand  that  General  Arnold,  a  fine  gentle- 
man, lays  close  siege  to  Peggy,  —  and  if  so,  there  will  soon 
be  another  match  in  the  family.  My  son  Edward  has  lately 
sold  his  fine  house  and  mill  and  farm  in  the  Jerseys,  for 


270 

£9;000;  and  purchased  another,  within  four  and  twenty 
miles  of  this  borough,  on  the  Ilorse-Shoe  Road,  altogether 
as  good ;  and,  as  living  in  Philadelphia  is  so  very  expen- 
sive, he  has  some  thoughts  of  purchasing  this  house,  and 
remaining  up  with  his  family,  I  should  not  write  by 
every  post,  having  little  to  say,  —  but  a  short  letter,  I 
consider,  will  serve  to  cover  the  newspapers.  All  General 
Burgoyne's  army  are  gone  over  Susquehanna,  Happy  for 
this  borough,  they  were  not  detained  by  the  weather  all 
winter.  Enclosed  is  a  pretty  fancy  enough  in  French, 
which  Neddy  Burd  will  translate,  one  of  these  days,  for  his 
brothers  and  sisters. 


JUDGE  YEATES  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  February  \^th,  1779. 

Hon'd  Sir  :  —  We  are  told  of  Congress  having  received 
s!ome  dispatches  of  consequence  from  Europe,  the  particu- 
lars of  which  have  not  transpired.  It  is  said  that  a  com- 
bined fleet  of  France  and  Spain  will  be  on  the  American 
coast  next  month,  in  order  to  protect  our  trade,  and  that  a 
loan  of  ten  millions  of  dollars  in  specie  will  be  negotiated 
with  Spain — the  budget  to  be  communicated  to  the  public 
on  Monday  next.  Others  speak  of  this  matter  merely  as  a 
bubble,  in  order  to  assist  speculation.  These  last  think 
there  will  be  a  general  exertion  in  Great  Britain,  in  order 
to  carry  on  the  war,  and  desolate  the  country.  They  say 
we  have  not  the  most  remote  prospect  of  peace.  In  this 
uncertainty  we  must  continue  for  some  time  at  least. 


271 
EDWARD  SIIIPrEN  TO  COL.  BURD. 

Lancaster,  February  2'ith,  1779. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  :  —  I  just  now  received  your  favor  of 
the  19th  instant,  by  the  hands  of  Mr.  Yeates.  You  have 
done  very  well  in  adding  to  your  orchard ;  I  wish  I  could 
get  a  good  opportunity  of  sending  up  the  young  Summer 
apple  trees  which  I  raised  on  purpose  for  you.  At  your 
brother  Edward's  request,  I  have  lately  got  from  Hains's 
nursery,  near  Bethel,  one  hundred  pretty  apple  trees  of 
the  best  grafted  fruit,  and  planted  them  in  a  nursery  in  my 
garden,  to  be  ready  whenever  he  sends  for  them,  which 
will  not  be  before  next  spring.  I  have  advised  him  to 
plough  in  the  stubble  this  fall,  and  to  stake  out  the  orchard 
with  hoop-poles,  and  put  within  a  foot  of  each  stake  a  peck 
of  cow-dung,  or  horse-dung,  two  or  three  years  old ;  then 
to  make  a  fence  with  posts  and  broad  rails,  five  rails  to  a 
pannel,  and  then  he  may  plant  his  trees,  fall  or  spring. 
Let  me  observe,  that  even  horse-dung  will  give  the  bitter 
rot;  neither  should  orchards  ever  bear  but  one  crop  of 
grain,  lest  the  ground  be  impoverished;  for  one  hundred 
apple  trees,  in  the  course  of  fifteen  or  twenty  years,  in 
good  soil,  will  produce  more  fruit  than  one  thousand 
starved  ones. 

Mr.  Bier  has  been  three  months  making  me  a  pair  of 
shoes,  and  now  charges  me  twelve  dollars;  whereas,  last 
November,  he  would  have  asked  but  eight  dollars.  His 
excuse  is,  that  his  time  was  wholly  taken  up  with  making 
boots  for  strangers,  which  was  the  most  profitable  work.  I 
have  your  letter  to  Mr.  Yeates,  about  a  boy  which  he  might 
have  in  the  country;  but  he  asked  me  whether  I  would 
accept  of  him.    I  said  no;  for  I  will  never  have  the  trouble 


272 

of  another  in  iny  house.  I  can  raise  nothing  in  my  garden, 
because  of  my  neighbor's  fowls;  and,  when  I  want  a  little 
wood  sawed,  or  any  other  job  done,  I  can  hire  a  man, — and 
I  have  no  horses.  I  enclose  you  a  few  grains  of  Indian 
corn,  which  General  Hand  has  sent  me  from  Albany,  of  an 
early  sort,  though  small.  Here  follows  a  copy  of  his  note 
about  them : 

'A  remarkable  early  kind  of  Indian  corn,  brought  from 
'the  foot  of  Lake  Otsego^  7th  November,  1778,  worth 
'propagating;  perhaps  Mr.  Burd  may  have  a  curiosity 
'  to  try  it.' 

The  enclosed  letters  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  letters 
from  Messrs.  Campbell  and  Henderson,  informing  me  that 
there  is  a  petition  sent  to  the  Assembly  for  a  new  county, 
and  that  the  struggle  is  between  the  people  of  Shippens- 
burg  and  the  environs,  and  those  of  Chambersburg,  as  to 
where  the  court  house  and  prison  shall  be.  The  former 
have  subscribed  £10,000,  and  the  latter  are  doing  all  in 
their  power  to  raise  as  much. 

Your  brother  Joseph  writes  me,  that  his  plantation  is 
not  large  enough  for  his  family,  and  therefore  he  is  look- 
ing out  for  another.  I  think  I  told  you  lately,  that  his 
brother  had  bought  this  house  from  Mr.  Yeates;  the  price 
is  £3,000. 


MAJOR  BURD   TO    COL.    BURD,  NEAR  MIDDLETOWN, 
LANCASTER  COUNTY. 

Philadelphia,  March  12th,  1779. 

Dear  and  IIon'd  Sir  :  —  The  cat  is  not  yet  let  out  of 
the  bag;  the  good  news  which  it  is  said  was  so  favorable  to 


America,  is  yet  kept  a  profound  secret.  Thus  far  we  arc 
informed,  that  it  is  of  a  cabinet  nature,  and  it  is  of  the 
utmost  importance.  Amid  so  great  a  variety  of  conjecture, 
we  have  no  ground  on  which  we  can  build  any  opinion.  We 
are  told  that  we  know  everything,  that  is  for  our  advantage 
at  present  to  be  informed  of.  Many  people  believe  that 
Congress  has  only  spread  the  report,  with  a  view  to  keep 
up  the  spirit  of  the  people,  and  raise  the  credit  of  the 
paper  money,  but  I  am  of  a  far  different  opinion.  I  firmly 
believe  that  there  is  some  news  which  lead  to  matters  of 
the  utmost  consequence,  but  they  are  not  yet  suflSciently 
ripened  to  be  asserted  as  facts  to  the  public.  Great  Britain 
is  preparing  for  a  vigorous  campaign,  as  far  at  least  as 
voting  in  the  House  of  Commons  will  make  it,  but  there 
are  old  maxims  that  dictate  the  most  vigorous  exertions,  in 
order  to  get  the  better  peace,  so  that  this  circumstance  does 
not  discourage  me.  I  expect  to  get  to  housekeeping  the 
latter  end  of  this  month.  I  should  be  glad  you  would  send 
the  boy  to  Lancaster  the  last  week  in  March  —  perhaps  he 
might  go  behind  some  man — or  you  might  possibly 
to  take  him  down,  if  no  other  mode  can  bo  used.  He 
must  come  down  from  Lancaster  in  a  wagon.  There  is  a 
pair  of  candlesticks  which  I  bought  of  Ab'm  Wickersham, 
which  please  to  send  to  Mr.  Yeates,  as  early  as  possible.  If 
no  opportunity  offers  before  the  boy  comes  down,  please  to 
contrive  to  send  them  by  him  to  Mr.  Yeates. 

I  shall  set  off  to-morrow  "with  my  dear  Betsy,  on  a  visit 
to  Uncle  Joseph  Shipppen,  in  Chester  county,  if  the  weather 
is  favorable ;  we  have  been  waiting  for  good  weather  and 
roads  some  days.  Mrs.  Francis,  Mr.  Shippen,  Betsy  and 
the  family,  join  in  kind  love  to  you  all. 


274 
JUDGE   YEATES    TO    COL.    BURD;    AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  June  Qth,  1779. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — I  returned  yesterday  from  viewing  the  farm 
I  am  interested  in,  on  the  banks  of  Pequea,  and  am  exceed- 
ingly pleased  witli  my  purchase.  I  accompanied  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Burd  seven  miles  on  their  road,  on  Friday  last,  and 
then  struck  off  towards  my  lands. 

Mr.  Haymaker  purchased  me  a  young  negro  lad  while  I 
was  down,  whom  I  think  of  taking  into  the  family,  and 
putting  the  lad  I  now  have  to  the  farming  business.  He  is 
a  hearty,  strong,  healthy  boy,  above  twelve  years  old,  but 
must  know  that  he  has  a  master.  I  will  put  him  on  the 
place  when  it  comes  in  my  possession,  which  will  probably 
be  in  April  nest,  but  in  the  mean  time  intend  sending  him 
into  the  country.  I  have  had  several  applications  for  him, 
but  don't  chose  he  should  be  too  near  Lancaster.  If  you 
think  he  will  be  of  any  service  to  you,  I  will  send  him  to 
you  for  a  few  months.  He  can  thresh  somewhat,  and  has 
been  used  to  the  country. 

We  have  many  reports  here  that  General  Lincoln  has 
defeated  the  British  in  South  Carolina,  and  has  killed  or 
taken  1460.  Should  it  be  true,  it  will  have  amazing  effects. 
The  news  gains  ground  daily,  and  a  number  of  circumstances 
concur  in  giving  it  credit. 

It  is  also  said  the  English  fleet  has  left  the  Chesapeake 
bay,  and  that  all  the  troops  landed  in  Virginia  are  embarked 
and  gone  off.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  has  come  out  of  New  York 
to  White  Plains,  as  if  he  meant  to  do  something,  and  Gene- 
ral Washington  has  left  his  former  camp  at  Bound-brook, 
and  crossed  the  North  river  in  order  to  be  near  him.  It  is 
thought  Clinton's  object  is  the  taking  of  West  Point,  where 


a  strong  bomb  is  thrown  across  the  North  river,  in  orJor  to 
have  the  same  removed,  that  his  ships  may  go  up  without 
interruption.  I  shall  send  your  watch  by  Davis,  if  done 
when  he  goes  off;  it  was  promised  to  me  this  evening.  If 
you  do  not  think  my  negro  will  be  useful  to  you,  I  would 
by  no  means  send  him  up. 


MAJOR   BURD   TO   COL.   KURD,    AT   TINIAN. 

Pliiladclphia,  Jane  IS/h,  1779. 

Dear  AND  Hon'd  Sir: — Having  been  much  engaged 
since  my  return  to  the  city,  and  expecting  a  full  confirmation 
of  the  very  important  news  from  Charleston,  I  have  delayed 
writing  till  this  time.  I  am  sorry  it  is  not  so  well  authen- 
ticated as  I  wished,  but  the  accounts  came  through  such  a 
variety  of  channels,  and  all  the  same  in  substance,  that  we 
must  give  credit  to  it,  though  perhaps  the  truth  may  vary 
in  some  circumstances.  We  have  been  looking  for  an  express 
every  day  since  my  arrival,  but  to  no  purpose.  We  are 
greatly  at  a  loss  to  account  for  the  neglect  in  the  people  of 
Charleston.  Some  say  that  they  are  oifendcd  at  the  in- 
attention shown  by  congress  to  their  defence,  others  attribute 
it  to  the  continuance  of  the  warlike  operations  before  the 
town,  which  engrosses  all  their  time  and  attention,  notwith- 
standing the  repulse  and  loss  of  the  enemy.  Their  remain- 
ing force  is  very  considerable.  A  sailor  arrived  yesterday, 
who  says,  as  I  am  informed  by  some,  that  he  was  in  the 
battle,  by  others,  that  he  was  within  a  few  miles  of  the  place, 
and  received  the  information  from  others,  but  I  am  inclined 
to  believe  from  circumstances  of  the  relation  that  he  was  in 
the  garrison  at  the  time  of  the  engagement. 


27G 

The  account  he  gives  is  this.  That  before  the  invasion  of 
Carolina,  an  embargo  had  been  laid  on  the  vessels  in  port, 
that  on  the  7th  May,  the  gates  were  shut,  and  martial  law 
declared,  that  on  the  9th  the  enemy  advanced,  and  on  the 
10th,  in  the  evening  at  five  o'clock,  made  an  assault  upon 
the  town  with  about  3500  British  troops  and  as  many  Tory 
refugees,  which  continued  till  9  o'clock.  They  had  brought 
pontoons  with  them  and  attempted  to  cross  with  1500  men, 
and  land  on  another  part  of  the  town,  while  the  main  body 
attacked  in  front,  but  this  plan  was  prevented  by  two  or 
three  vessels,  and  a  battery,  which  not  only  hindered  the 
execution  of  the  design  but  also  kept  the  troops  from  re- 
turning to  the  shore.  They  were  obliged  to  put  over  to  an 
island,  called  James  Island,  and  a  body  of  our  troops  are 
between  them  and  their  main  body.  The  enemy  were 
entirely  repulsed,  and  left  653  dead  on  the  field.  They  re- 
treated to  a  place  called  the  Neck,  about  five  miles  ofi",  some 
say  eight  or  nine  miles  ofi".  General  Williamson  had  got 
into  the  town,  and  the  garrison  was  a  very  large  one.  Gene- 
ral Lincoln  was  three  days  march  in  the  rear,  and  the  bridges 
were  all  broken  by  the  enemy,  to  retard  his  march. 

Their  success  is  not  decisive,  but  is  nevertheless  of  great 
consequence,  as  it  will  raise  the  spirits  of  the  people,  and 
make  many  more  join  the  army  than  perhaps  otherwise 
would  have  done.  I  am  in  hopes  of  further  good  accounts 
from  this  quarter. 

What  is  a  great  confirmation  of  the  repulse  is  the  entire 
silence  of  the  New  York  papers,  so  late  as  the  10th  instant. 
They  pretend  to  know  nothing  of  it  but  what  they  have  from 
our  papers.  Such  quantities  of  sugar  have  come  in  lately 
that  it  sells  for  the  barrel  £100  per  the  hundred.*  We  are 
*  Continental  paper,  I  suppose. 


277 

in  very  great  want  of  our  Loy ;  I  wish  it  was  possible  to  get 
him  down  soon.  If  he  has  not  left  Tinian  before  this  reaches 
you,  be  pleased  to  send  him  to  Mr.  Ycates,  at  Lancaster,  as 
I  believe  that  will  be  the  quickest  method  of  getting  him 
down.    We  are  really  at  a  great  loss  without  him. 


MAJOR   BURD   TO   COL.  BURD,  AT   TIN  I  AX. 

Pldladdplua,  July  diJi,  1779. 

Dear  and  Honored  Sir  : — I  am  sorry  to  tell  you  that 
the  enemy  are  not  in  that  dangerous  situation  at  Charles- 
ton that  we  wished,  but  it  is  certain  that  they  retreated 
suddenly  from  before  the  town,  and  by  the  help  of  some 
ferry  boats  got  upon  John  and  James  Islands.  General 
Lincoln  writes,  that  the  enemy's  force  is  men 

that  his  own  is  2,000.  That  General  Moultrie  has  1,500 
men.  Governor  Rutledge  1,000,  and  that  he  can  keep  them 
from  doing  injury  to  the  country,  and  that  the  town  is 
under  no  apprehension.  2,000  continental  troops  are  upon 
their  way  from  Virginia,  and  700  militia  to  join- the  troops, 
at  Charleston.  We  have  the  greatest  reason  to  expect 
a  Spanish  war.  A  man  just  from  Havana  says,  that  the 
harbor  was  ordered  to  be  cleared  for  12  sail  of  Spanish  men- 
of-war  while  he  was  there,  and  that  goods  rose  fifty  per 
cent.     I  saw  this  man. 


major   BURD    to   COL.  BURD,  AT   TINIAN. 

Philadelpliia,  July  25th,  1779. 

Dear  and  Honored  Sir  : — You  doubtless  have  heard 
of  the  taking  the  strong  fort,  garrisoned  with   near  600 


278 

men,  at  Stoney  Point.  It  was  a  curious  affair,  and  is  no 
inconsiderable  loss  to  the  enemy.  I  suppose  the  enemy 
will  soon  be  at  Lancaster.  I  send  you  a  couple  of  papers 
that  mention  it. 

The  people  are  to  have  a  town  meeting  to-day,  when  it 
is  expected  that  matters  of  some  consequence  will  be  trans- 
acted. George  Ross  you  find  is  dead.  He  was  very  cheerful 
on  his  death-bed;  he  said  he  was  going  a  long  journey,  and 
that  he  was  almost  tired  before  he  set  off,  but  the  place  was 
cool,  and  that  there  were  most  excellent  wives  there,  and 
he  should  fare  deliciously.  That  Mrs.  Ross  did  not  expect 
to  see  him  so  soon  after  her,  &c. 


JUDGE   YEATES   TO    COL.  BURD,  AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  August  Zlst,  1779. 

Honored  Sir  : — I  this  morning  received  a  letter  from 
your  son,  with  the  enclosed.  At  my  request,  he  sent  me  two 
bushels  of  salt,  and  by  the  same  wagon  directed  to  my 
care,  one  and  a  half  bushels  of  coarse  salt,  for  you.  He 
writes  to  me,  that  he  procured  the  salt  with  the  greatest 
difficulty,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  friendship  of  Mr. 
John  Meas,  one  of  my  clients,  it  would  have  been  impossi- 
ble. The  bags  go  down  to  Philadelphia  again,  so  that  when 
you  send  for  your  salt  you  will  please  to  send  a  bag. 

I  have  heard  that  a  small  party  of  American  Georgians, 
during  the  absence  of  General  Provost,  took  forty-five 
light  horse  prisoners,  besides  killing  a  few  of  them.  The 
account  about  Penobscot  is  is  still  doubtful,  the  attack  was 
to  be  made  on  the  2d  of  August,  and  Sir  George  Collins  set 
sail  on  the  Sd  of  August.     It  is  thought  a  fortnight  will 


279 

elapse  before  be  arrives  at  that  place.  A  vessel,  part  of 
Goodrich's  fleet,  has  been  captured  by  a  privateer  of  Blair 
McClenachan's,  with  60  brass  cannons,  20  tons  of  powder, 
40  chests  of  tea,  and  1,000  suits  of  soldier  clothes,  and  scut 
into  Philadelphia.  Another  vessel  of  the  same  fleet  has 
lately  been  captured,  and  sent  into  Baltimore.  She  had  100 
soldiers  on  board. 

Philadelphia's  new  jail  is  filled  with  British  prisoners, 
and  the  town  swarms  with  their  oflBcers.  Every  thing  looks 
well  except  our  money,  and  Congress,  it  is  said,  are  busily 
en^acred  in  devisino;  some  mode  to  retrieve  its  credit.  I  fear 
it  will  be  a  herculean  task. 


MAJOR   BURD   TO    COL.    BURD,    AT   TINIAX. 

Lancaster,  October  ^th,  1779. 

Dear  and  Honored  Sir  : — I  received  your  kind  letters, 
and  intended  to  have  wrote  to  you  by  Mr.  Croucb,  but  the 
business  of  the  court  took  up  all  my  time. 

To-morrow  I  shall  off  for  Tork.  The  week  after,  I 
shall  be  at  Carlisle,  and  understand  that  there  will  be  so 
much  business  at  York  that  I  must  return  from  Carlisle  to 
York,  but  on  my  return  to  the  Lancaster  sessions,  I  must 
ride  to  Tinian  and  see  you,  if  time  will  permit.  I  will  spend 
as  much  at  Tinian  as  possible  ;  but  I  am  determined  to  be 
there  even  if  my  time  should  be  pinched.  I  shall  be  obliged 
to  depend  upon  my  island  for  my  bread  the  ensuing  year, 
and  exchange  corn  for  wheat  and  get  it  pounded  into  flour 
and  sent  down  to  me,  therefore  be  pleased  to  get  my  share 


280 

of  the  corn  from  the  island.  Michael  owes  mc  sixteen 
hushels  of  corn.  I  will  speak  about  that  when  I  go  up  to 
Tiuian. 

The  troubles  in  Philadelphia,  I  dare  say,  you  have  heard. 
I  have  only  time  to  tell  you  that  I  received  a  letter  from 
Betsy,  dated  October  7th,  which  says  things  are  tolerably 
quiet  at  Philadelphia  now.  You  may  have  heard  that 
General  Arnold  was  in  and  had  been  in  Wilson's 

house,  but  neither  of  these  is  true ;  he  is  at  home  with  his 
wife.  It  is  true  he  was  in  the  street  with  the  rest  of  the 
citizens,  and  even  pursued  by  two  men,  but  he  happened  to 
have  pistols  with  him  and  prevented  them  from  violence 
by  threatening  to  fire  at  them.  He  applied  to  the  Congress 
for  protection,  who  referred  him  to  the  executive  power  of 
the  state,  who  have  provided  for  him. 


EDWARD    SHIPPEN    TO   COL.    BURD,   AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  November  24<A,  1779. 

Dear  Mr.  Burd  : — Three  days  ago  I  was  favored  with 
your  agreeable  epistle  of  the  loth  instant,  handed  to  me  by 
Mr,  Yeates.  But  a  little  before  I  received  that  letter,  I 
had  wrote  pretty  fully  by  one  John  Tautes,  of  Sunbury, 
who  promised  to  deliver  my  letter,  with  the  newspaper  con- 
cerning Captain  Worke.  Lest  the  letter  should  miscarry,  I 
shall  here  repeat  some  of  its  contents  in  this.  The  yottng 
man  who  makes  his  addresses  to  Peggy,  is  of  a  good  family, 
and  that  is  all  I  know  of  him.  The  Latin  phrase  is,  exampla 
parentum  honorum  est  maxima  dos.  The  examples  of  good 
parents  is  a  great  portion.  He  bears  a  good  character.  I 
thought  it  advisable,  as  soon  as  prudent  after  the  wedding, 


281 

that  the  young  couple  should  remove  to  old  Mr.  "Worke's 
until  they  could  get  a  place  in  the  country  to  their  mind. 
Mr.  Yeates  told  me  that  he  understood  they  were  to  reside 
in  this  borough.  I  replied  that  I  was  very  sure  that  the 
profits  of  a  sheriff's  ofiice  would  never  admit  of  that,  when 
the  fees  were  more  than  double  to  what  they  are  now ;  not 
to  mention  that  it  is  the  most  dangerous  office  a  man  can 
undertake.  A  sheriff  ought  to  have  the  heart  of  a  stone  to 
stand  against  the  cries  of  women,  beseeching  him  to  take 
their  husband's  words  and  fair  promises,  and  so  not  to  put 
them  into  prison ;  frequently  to  the  great  loss  of  the  sheriff. 
Tom  Smith,  the  sheriff,  (though  he  lived  part  of  his  time 
in  the  country,)  was  almost  ruined  by  the  office.  It  is 
indeed  true,  he  was  put  in  jail  some  time  after  he  was  out 
of  office,  but  that  was  because  he  was  involved  in  an  iron 
work.  Joseph  Pugh,  his  successor,  was  so  reduced  by  that 
business,  that  he  was  obliged  to  remove  into  a  remote  part 
of  Vii'ginia  with  his  poor  family.  Then  came  in  Jimmy 
Webb,  who  rented  a  house  in  town,  where  he  must  live  like 
a  gentleman,  and  make  every  leading  man  in  the  county 
quite  welcome  that  came  to  see  him.  If  he  had  not  had  a 
good  estate,  he  would  have  failed.  F.  Stone  succeeded  him, 
who  thought  himself  as  good  a  gentleman  as  his  predeces- 
sors; but  he,  a  poor,  good-natured,  tender-hearted  man, 
soon  got  into  jail,  and  is  at  this  day  an  object  of  pity. 
After  him  Johnny  Ferree,  of  Bettellhausen,  nine  miles  off, 
set  up  for  sheriff,  and  carried  it  by  a  great  majority  of 
votes,  and  called  on  me  for  a  recommendation  to  his  honor. 
Governor  Penn,  for  a  commission,  which  I  refused  to  give 
until,  among  other  things,  he  promised  to  live  very  frugally, 
and  settle  his  accounts  with  me  at  every  court,  and  pay  me 
the  Governor's  fees  or  fines,  and  my  fees,  &c.     He  was 


282 

indulged  to  live  at  his  own  bouse  at  Bcttel  House,  coming 
to  town  once  or  twice  a  week,  by  which  means  he  was  able 
to  do  every  body  justice,  and  save  some  money  to  himself. 

The  ladies  and  misses  dress  as  gaily  as  they  do  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  and  loaf  sugar  and  green  tea  are  as 
plenty  on  our  tea  tables  as  ever  they  were  !  You  shall 
always  be  as  welcome  as  you  ever  were  in  better  times. 


JUDGE   YEATES   TO    COL.    BURD,    AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  September  \^tli,  1780. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — I  wrote  to  you  on  24th  ultimo,  since  which 
I  have  not  observed  anything  particular  respecting  Mr. 
Shippen's  health ;  his  lowness  of  spirits  continues,  but  his 
appetite  and  rest  is  good.  I  do  not  observe  that  his  weak- 
ness increases,  and  am  in  hopes  that  the  cold  weather  will 
brace  him  up  and  somewhat  confirm  him.  Perfect  sound 
health  can  hardly  be  expected  at  his  time  of  life. 

By  a  letter  received  from  Mr.  Parr,  in  Philadelphia, 
we  have  advice  that  old  Mr.  Allen  is  gone  to  his  long  home. 

Poor  gentleman  !  he  is  at  length  happily  removed  from 
all  his  troubles.  His  reverse  of  fortune  is  a  noble  lesson  of 
morality  in  the  most  prosperous  seasons  of  life. 

The  second  division  of  the  French  fleet  is  not  yet  arrived, 
nor  is  it  expected  until  the  beginning  of  next  month. 
General  Gates'  defeat  near  Camden,  is  a  heavy  loss ;  greater, 
I  fear,  than  we  conceive  at  present. 


283 
JUDGE  YEATES   TO   COL.    BURD,   AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  Scptemhcr  18/7/,  1781. 

Hon'd  Sir  : — \^e  were  much  pleased  with  Mrs.  Burd's 
coming  down,  though  our  pleasure  would  have  been  greatly 
augmented  by  your  company.  We  flatter  ourselves  that 
your  disorder  will  be  of  no  long  continuance. 

Mr.  Shippen  is  very  ill,  though  his  fever  is  somewhat  abated 
since  yesterday.  The  nourishment  he  receives  can  scarcely 
support  nature.  It  gives  me  the  greatest  pain  to  declare, 
that,  in  my  opinion,  he  can  remain  but  a  short  time  among 
us,  a  very  few  days  will  probably  produce  the  mournful 
event. 

We  expect  Mr.  E.  Shippen  here  this  evening,  and  look 
for  Mr.  J.  Shippen  every  moment. 

Some  gentlemen  from  Philadelphia  mention  the  arrival 
of  Admiral  Digby  at  New  York,  with  ten  sail  of  the  lino. 
But  the  French  have  a  superiority  of  line  of  battle-ships  on 
the  coast.  They  have  thirty-five  ships,  and  the  British  only 
thirty. 


J.  YEATES   TO   JAMES   BURD,  AT   TINIAN. 

Lancaster,  September  27th,  1781. 

Honored  Sir  : — We  expect,  daily,  interesting  news  from 
the  Southwand.  Capt.  Chai-les  Stirling,  a  son  of  Captain 
Sir  Walter  Stirling,  dined  with  me  to-day.  He  is  a  sensible, 
agreeable  young  man,  but  rather  stifi"  in  his  politics.  He 
was  lately  taken  in  a  sloop  of  war  by  the  Congress,  a  Phila- 
delphia privateer,  after  an  obstinate  engagement,  and  sent 
up  here  a  prisoner  on  parole.     It  is  said  that   Admiral 


284 

Digby  is  expected  on  the  American  station,  witli  8  or  9 
ships  of  the  line.  I  don't  believe  any  such  thing  probable. 
But  should  he  come,  Sir  Henry  will  in  all  likelihood, 
attempt  succoring  Lord  Cornwallis,  and  relieving  him  from 
his  difficulties. 

Many  "are  fearful  of  an  attack  on  the  city  of  Philadelphia; 
for  my  part  I  think  there  is  little  danger  of  it.  It  can  be 
no  object  of  importance  to  the  enemy.  General  Clinton 
has  been  fairly  taken  in  by  General  Washington.  All  his 
movements  indicated  an  attack  on  New  York,  while  his 
whole  blow  was  aimed  at  Cornwallis. 


COLONEL   LAURENS  AND   THE    SURRENDER  OF   CORNWALLIS 
AT   yORKTOWN.* 

Having  returned  from  the  successful  accomplishment  of 
his  important  mission,  in  which  he  had  negotiated  the  co- 
operations of  the  French  fleet  on  the  American  coast, 
Colonel  Laurens  assumed  his  military  functions,  and  was 
eminently  distinguished  at  the  seige  of  Yorktown,  where, 
leading  the  assault  of  one  of  the  British  redoubts,  he  saved 
the  life  of  the  officer  who  commanded  it,  and  made  him  his 
prisoner. 

Being  appointed  Commissioner  for  the  capitulation  on  the 
part  of  General  Washington,  he  met  Colonel  Ross,  of  the 
British  Army,  A.  D.  C.  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  and  commis- 
sioner on  behalf  of  the  garrison.  Having  placed  the  terms 
on  which  a  capitulation  would  be  granted  before  Colonel 
Ross,  that  gentleman  observed,  '  This  is  a  harsh  article.' 
'  Which  article,'  said  Colonel  Laurens  ? 

*  From  Major  Jackson's  MSS. 


285 

'The  troops  shall  march  out  with  colors  cased,  and 
'  drums  beating  a  British  or  a  German  march.'  '  Yes  sir/ 
replied  Colonel  L.,  'it  is  a  harsh  article.'  'Then  Colonel 
'  Laurens,  if  that  is  your  opinion,  why  is  it  here  ?' 

'Your  question,  Colonel  Ross,  compels  an  observation 
'  which  I  would  have  gladly  suppressed.  You  seem  to  forget, 
'  sir,  that  I  was  a  capitulaut  at  Charleston,  where  General 
'  Lincoln,  after  a  brave  defence  of  six  weeks,  open  trenches 
'  by  a  very  inconsiderable  garrison  against  the  British  army 
'  and  fleet  under  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  Admiral  Arbuthnot, 
'  and  when  your  lines  of  approach  were  within  pistol  shot  of 
'  our  field  works,  was  refused  any  other  terms  for  his  gallant 
'  garrison,  than  marching  out  with  colors  cased  and  drums 
'  not  beating  a  British  or  a  German  march.'  'But,'  rejoined 
Colonel  Boss,  '  my  Lord  Cornwallis  did  not  command  at 
'  Charleston.'  '  There,  sir,'  said  Colonel  Laurens,  'you  extort 
'  another  declaration.  It  is  not  the  individual  that  is  herecon- 
'sideredj  it  is  the  nation.  This  remains  an  article,  or  I 
'  cease  to  be  a  Commissioner.'  The  result  was,  the  British 
army  surrendred  with  colors  cased  and  drums  beatiug  a 
British  or  a  German  march. 

The  war  in  Virginia  being  closed  by  the  capture  of  this 
army,  Colonel  Laurens,  impelled  by  his  ardent  patriotism, 
hastened  to  the  Southern  army,  where  fresh  laurels  awaited 
his  gallant  exertions,  and  where  his  country  was  to  witness 
his  devotion,  even  to  death  in  her  cause. 
.  The  writer  of  the  present  article,  who  was  then  assistant 
Secretary  at  war,  received  his  last  letter,  in  which  he  says  : 

'I  am  writing  to  you  from  a  sick  bed;  but  I  have  just 
'  heard  that  General  Greene  has  ordered  a  detachment  to 
'  intercept  a  party  of  the  British  near  to  Cimbakee.  I  shall 
'  ask  the  command,  and  if  refused,  I  go  as  a  volunteer.' 


286 

General  Grreene,  anxious  for  the  recovery  of  his  health, 
would  have  declined  the  request  of  Colonel  Laurens,  but 
his  determination  to  go  as  a  volunteer,  decided  him  to 
grant  it. 

It  would  appear  that,  by  unavoidable  accident,  some 
troops  detached  to  the  support  of  his  party,  did  not  arrive 
until  he  was  attacked  by  a  very  superior  force ;  and  in  cut- 
ting his  way  through  it,  he  was  mortally  wounded,  and  fell 
dead  from  his  horse  into  the  arms  of  Major  Smith.  Such 
was  the  close,  while  yet  in  its  bloom,  of  his  illustrious  life, 
through  which  he  had  given  such  proofs  of  devoted  patriot- 
ism, heroic  valor,  and  splendid  talents,  as  would  have  se- 
cured to  him  the  first  honors  of  his  country,  as  they  have 
impressed  the  deepest  regret  for  his  loss,  and  the  most 
heart-felt  tribute  of  gratitude  to  his  memory. 

The  following  observation  by  Lord  Cornwallis,  made  in 
conversation  after  the  capitulation  of  Yorktown,  attests  the 
high  estimation  in  which  the  officers,  to  whom  it  refers, 
were  held  by  his  Lordship  : 

'  He  said,  there  could  be  no  more  formidable  antagonist 
'  in  a  charge,  at  the  head  of  his  cavalry,  than  Colonel 
'  William  Washington  ;  and  that  he  had  never  taken  a  posi- 
'  tion  in  the  vicinity  of  General  Greene's  army,  that  Colonel 
'  H.  Lee  did  not  find  out  his  weak  point,  and  strike  at  it 
'  before  mornina;.' 


JUDGE  YEATES  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  PAXTON. 

Lancaster,  March  2QtJi,  1783. 

Dear,  Sir  . — Our  prospects  of  a  peace  seem  duller  than 
ever,  lately.  It  is  reported  that  some  dispatches  have  been  re- 


287 

ceived  from  France;  that  neither  France,  Spain,  nor  Holland, 
would  agree  to  the  terms  which  Great  Britain  holds  out, 

I  can  scarcely  bring  myself  to  believe  that  the  wa*  will 
continue,  yet  no  one  can  form  a  judgment  of  the  European 
Courts,  nor  of  the  views  of  the  several  belligerent  powers, 
at  present.  Comparing  everything,  however,  I  am  strongly 
of  an  opinion  that  wc  shall  not  have  another  American 
campaign. 

Miss  Nancy  Relfe  is  down  with  us  from  Carlisle,  paying 
a  visit.  Our  winter  has  passed  over  agreeably.  What 
with  plays,  cards,  dances,  dinners  abroad  and  at  home,  we 
have  continued  to  dispel  all  care.  My  daughter  Molly  sus- 
tained the  character  of  Marcia,  in  the  Tragedy  of  Cato, 
with  much  approbation  lately,  at  the  school-room,  to  a  very 
crowded  audience.  The  partiality  of  a  father  forbids  my 
enlarging  on  this  topic. 

I  am,  &c. 

Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  seen  a  hand-bill  from 
Philadelphia,  dated  24th  inst.,  which  gives  the  account  of  a 
peace  being  concluded  on  the  20th  January  last.  The  intel- 
ligence came  in  a  sloop-of-war  commanded  by  M.  du  Quesne, 
in  thirty-two  days  from  Cadiz.  The  outlines  of  the  treaty 
are  only  mentioned.  They-  are  too  lengthy  to  insert,  nor 
would  my  memory  serve.  Great  Britain  retains  Gibraltar ; 
the  treaties  concerning  the  demolition  of  Dunkirk  are  va- 
cated; the  Newfoundland  Fishery  to  be  shared  by  Great 
Britain  and  France ;  Spain  to  enter  into  agreement  with  the 
former  respecting  the  cutting  of  logwood  in  the  Island  of 
Honduras;  Independence  granted  to  us,  &c.,  &c.  Huzza! 
huzza ! 


288 

JOHN   SniPPEN   TO    HIS   FATHER,  COL.    JOSEPH   SHIPPEN, 
AT  LANCASTER. 

Carlisle,  March  M,  1788. 

Honored  Father  : — I  know  not  how  to  introduce  the 
present  subject,  nor,  indeed,  do  I  think  it  is  in  the  power  of 
words  to  express  fully  the  transactions  of  the  people  of  Cum- 
berland. However  difficult  it  may  be,  I  shall  attempt  it, 
hoping  to  give  you  the  outlines,  after  a  fashion,  that  you 
may  complete  the  picture,  and  have  some  small  idea  of  their 
conduct.  It  will  not  seem  a  credible  story  to  people  who 
are  unacquainted  with  the  inhabitants  of  the  county,  but 
when  attested  by  the  hand  and  name  of  your  son,  you  can 
have  no  doubt  of  the  truth  of  it. 

I  presume  papa  remembers  the  contents  of  a  Carlisle 
Gazette,  which  I  sent  him,  with  respect  to  the  riot  of  De- 
cember. The  sheriff  of  this  county  receiving  warrants 
(State)  from  the  Chief  Justice,  McKean,  against  twenty-one 
rioters,  took  said  persons  before  Mr.  Agnew  and  Mr.  Erwin 
(Justices),  who  being  in  some  doubt  with  respect  to  the 
warrants,  offered  them  a  privilege  to  remain  on  parole  a 
month,  viz.,  to  the  25th  of  March,  till  they  should  have 
opportunity  to  consult  the  Chief  Justice.  The  twenty-one, 
taking  into  consideration  the  above  offer,  seventeen  of  them 
insisted  upon  a  trial,  refused  to  give  bail,  though  they  might 
have  obtained  it,  and  declared  they  would  rather  go  to  jail 
than  accept  of  a  parole,  as  others  did  in  the  same  situation. 
They  were  accordingly  committed.  The  report  of  their  im- 
prisonment having  spread  through  the  country,  Mr.  Agnew 
and  Mr.  Erwin  thought  it  expedient  to  publish  in  the  paper 
the  above  account,  which  by  the  country  people  was  thought 
to  be  a  lie,  as  well  as  the  procession  in  the  town  of  Boston. 


289 

I  may  here  remark,  that  whatever  account  favorable  to  the 
Federalists  appears  ia  the  paper,  it  is  esteemed  as  a  lie  and 
a  falsehood  by  the  adverse  party — I  mean  the  Anti-Fede- 
ralists. Of  the  conduct  of  the  latter  I  mean  now  to 
treat. 

On  Saturday,  by  daylight,  a  company  from  the  lower  set- 
tlement entered  the  town,  singing  "  Federal  Joy,"  (a  song 
composed  by  one  of  their  party,  and  published  in  the  news- 
papers,) took  possession  of  the  Court-house,  and  rung  the 
bell  all  the  morning.  (I  should  have  mentioned,  they  were 
armed.)  Several  other  companies  came  in  from  diflferent 
parts  of  the  country,  the  last  of  which  about  ten  o'clock. 
They  then  marched  to  the  jail,  and  demanded  the  prison- 
ers ;  upon  which,  they  received  them,  placed  them  in 
their  front,  and  marched  through  town  huzzaing,  singing, 
hallooing,  firing,  and  the  like.  It  is  thought,  there  was 
upwards  of  eight  hundred.  Such  a  number  of  dirty,  rag-a- 
muffin-looking  blackguards  I  never  beheld. 

It  was  feared,  they  would  all  remain  (at  night)  in  town, 
in  order  to  do  mischief;  but  their  leaving  it  in  the  after- 
noon produced  an  agreeable  disappointment.  It  may  seem 
strange,  that  they  should  thus  be  permitted  to  do  as  they 
pleased ;  but  for  want  of  a  sufficient  number  to  repel  them, 
the  gentlemen  of  town,  who  aro  men  of  sense  and  fore- 
thought, as  well  as  men  of  true  courage,  thought  it  most 
proper  to  let  them  alone.  Not  that  they  were  afraid,  for  if 
they  could  but  have  raised  two  or  three  hundred  men,  well 
armed,  they  would  have  marched  in  front;  but  the  matter 
would  not  rest  here ;  they  could  have  raised  nearly  as  many 
more,  which  would  have  been  the  cause  of  a  civil  war,  to 
prevent  them,  viz.,  the  An ti- Federalists. 

Thus,  our  Federalists  acted  their  before-mentioned  cha- 

N 


290 


racter,  which,  consideriug  their  situation,  was,  in  my  hum- 
ble opinion,  very  proper  and  becoming. 

I  drank  tea  at  Gen'l  Butler's  yesterday.  He  told  me  he 
■was  going  to  Lancaster,  and  is  so  good  as  to  take  care  of 
this  letter.  I  wish  to  be  remembered  with  the  greatest 
respect  and  love  to  my  dear  mamma,  sisters  and  brothers, 
as  also  to  Mr.  Ycates,  and  General  Hand's  family,  Mr. 
Hutchins  and  Miss  Patty. 


JOHN  SHIPPEN*  TO  COL.  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 

Carlisle,  Oct.  \^th,  1788. 

Honored  Sir  : — I  arrived  here  on  Sunday  evening  last, 
having  dined  at  Harrisburg  with  cousin  Hubley. 

The  Representatives,  &c.,  chosen  at  our  last  general  elec- 
tion for  this  county,  for  the  ensuing  year,  are  as  follows  : 
Assemblymen — David  Mitchell,  Anti-Federal. 

Thomas  Bailes,  " 

Jonathan  Hoge,  " 

Thomas  Kennedy,         " 
Sheriff —  Charles  Lieper,  Federal. 

On  the  return — James  Wallace,  Anti-Federal. 
Coroner —  John  Walker. 

On  the  return — John  Wray,  Anti-Federal. 
Commissioner — George  Logue,         " 

*  Son  of  Col.  Shippeii  and  nephew  to  Col.  Burd. 


291 

JOSEPH  BURD  TO  UIS  FATHER,  COL,  BURD,  AT  TINIAN. 
Philadelphia,  April  oOtJt,  1789. 

Dear  and  Hon'd  Sir  :— On  the  20th  inst.  General 
Washington  passed  through  this  place;  the  whole  city 
seemed  to  be  rejoicing.  Some  of  us  went  a  little  way  to 
meet  him.  An  elegant  dinner  was  prepared  for  him  at  the 
City  Tavern  by  the  citizens,  and  there  was  a  glorious  spirit 
shown.  He  set  off  next  morning  for  New  York,  to  take  his 
seat  as  the  President. 

The  House  of  Representatives  has  taken  up  the  Revenue 
bill,  and  is  about  laying  heavy  duties  on  many  important 
articles. 

The  King  of  England  has  got  over  his  insanity,  and  is 
recovering  his  health.  The  Prince  of  Wales  has  been 
appointed  to  the  Regency. 

Mrs.  Burd  desires  her  love  to  you.  My  brother  I  expect 
will  return  to-night  from  Norristown,  and  next  Tuesday 
sets  off  for  the  rest  of  his  circuit,  which  will  take  him  five 
weeks. 

Mr.  Carmick,  the  student  whom  I  found  in  the  o"fl&cewhen 
I  came  down,  thinking  that  the  business  of  the  oiS&ce  inter- 
fered with  his  studies,  has  left,  a  circumstance  which  I  don't 
like. 


COL.    SHIPPEN    TO   CH.    J.    SHIPPEN. 

71%  18,  1789. 

Dear  Bbother  : — I  am  extremely  concerned  to  tell  you 
that  a  most  unfortunate  duel  happened  last  Monday  evening, 
between  Doctor  Reiger  and  Mr.  Chambers,  on  a  challenge  of 


292 

the  former,  for  an  affront  received  by  him  at  a  tavern.  When 
each  had  fired  one  pistol  without  effect,  the  seconds  inter- 
fered, and  proposals  of  accommodation  were  made,  which 
Reiger  could  not  be  persuaded  to  agree  to ;  each  then  pre- 
sented a  second  pistol ;  Chambers'  snapped,  but  Reiger's 
discharged  a  ball  through  both  his  antagonist's  legs.  His 
wounds  bled  much,  but  for  two  days  were  supposed  not  dan- 
gerous ;  a  mortification  then  ensued;  its  progress  upwards 
was  great  and  rapid  till  Saturday  morning,  when  it  extended 
to  his  bowels,  and  carried  him  off,  to  the  most  severe  dis- 
tress of  the  families  and  friends  of  both.  The  procession  at 
his  funeral,  in  the  evening,  was  truly  solemn  and  affecting. 
This  melancholy  subject  has  already  too  much  agitated  my 
mind  to  dwell  on  it  longer,  by  relating  the  particular  circum- 
stances. 


JAMES   TILGHMAN   TO    COL.    SHirPEN,    AT   PLUMLEY, 
CHESTER    COUNTY. 

Chestertoivn,  Maryland,  Sept.  2d,  1790. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  could  not  overlook  the  good  opportunity 
of  telling  you,  that  I  am  happy  to  hear  from  Miss  Shippen, 
whom  I  frequently  have  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  at  my 
own  house,  that  you  retain  a  tolerable  share  of  health,  and 
are  settled  on  a  good  farm.  As  we  grow  in  years,  we  must 
expect  to  feel  the  natural  attendants  on  old  age.  For  my 
own  part,  I  am  weak  in  my  sight  and  hearing,  and  have  in 
a  manner  totally  lost  my  teeth,  and  with  them  a  good  deal 
of  my  power  of  articulation.  Thus  hurt  in  my  sight, 
hearing,  and  speaking,  I  am  grown  very  unfit  for  public 
company;  I  can  hear  the  sound  of  a  general  conversation 
only,  but  cannot  distinguish  what  is  said,  which  is  a  dis- 


293 

agreeable  circumstance.  In  other  respects,  I  thank  God  I 
enjoy  a  good  share  of  health.  I  cannot  say  so  much  for 
my  spirits,  which  you  may  well  imagine  must  be  somewhat 
affected  by  the  severe  afflictions  I  have  met  with,  in  the 
loss  of  ray  good  children,  who  were  both  a  comfort  and  a 
credit  to  me  ;  and,  although  I  have  received  a  very  con- 
siderable addition  of  property,  by  the  death  of  my  sons 
Richard  and  Thomas,  it  comes  through  so  unnatural  and 
melancholy  a  channel,  as  to  be  of  consequence  rather  to 
my  family  than  myself,  and  I  feel  that  wealth  alone  is  not 
sufficient  to  constitute  happiness.  My  farms  furnish  me 
some  new  employment  and  amusement,  and  are  in  that 
respect  very  useful  to  me ;  for  having  led  a  life  of  business, 
I  should  be  wretched,  indeed,  if  I  had  not  some  objects  on 
which  to  employ  my  attention.  I  have  lately  made  a  pur- 
chase of  a  farm,  about  an  hour's  ride  from  town,  which  will 
not  only  be  a  hobby-horse  for  me,  but  I  expect  to  derive 
some  advantage  from  it,  though  I  paid  a  great  price  for  it, 
£7  10s.  an  acre,  and  I  must  lay  out  a  good  deal  of  money 
in  buildings,  repairs,  and  fences ;  but  I  expect  it  will  soon 
repay  me.  It  contains  near  four  hundred  acres,  all  of  the 
first  quality,  and  finely  watered,  which  is  not  common  for 
that  part  of  the  country.  The  present  tenant  this  year 
makes  an  extraordinary  crop  —  fifteen  hundred  bushels  of 
wheat,  and  two  thousand  of  Indian  corn.  The  common 
crop  is  about  twelve  hundred  of  wheat,  and  fifteen  hundred 
of  corn,  and  to  this  I  expect  to  add  some  tobacco,  when  I 
take  it  into  my  own  hands  next  year.  Enough  of  myself. 
Do  you  hear  from  our  friend,  Mr.  Penn  ?  I  understand  the 
family  have  fallen  short  of  their  expectations  from  Parlia- 
ment. All  things  considered,  they  have  got  more  than  I 
expected,  and  have  enough  left,  if  it  be  well  managed.  I 
hear  in  a  round-about,  uncertain  way,  that  Mrs.  Penn  is 


294 

not  so  fond  of  England  as  slie  expected  to  be.  She  left 
her  consequence  in  America,  as  most  people  do,  who  go  to 
England.  It  is  not  always  a  portable  commodity.  I  have 
bad  but  one  letter  from  Mr.  Penn,  and  probably  shall  not 
have  another,  as  I  do  not  know  that  my  last,  written  a 
good  while  ago,  has  been  received.  You  know  his  aversion 
to  letter-writing,  even  where  he  had  subjects  of  business, 
and  was  urged  by  considerations  of  interest;  both  which 
motives  are  now  wanting.  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  they 
should  return.  I  take  it  for  granted  Dick  must.  I  am 
spinning  out  a  long  letter.  The  truth  is,  I  have  a  real 
satisfaction  with  conversing,  though  in  this  imperfect  way, 
with  an  old  friend ;  I  have  hardly  one  left  here.  It  will 
always  give  me  pleasure  to  hear  of  your  welfare  and  hap- 
piness— being, 

With  very  sincere  regard, 

Your  old  acquaintance, 

And  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  TILGHMAN. 


JOHN  SHIPPEN  TO  HIS  FATHER,  COL.  JOSEPH  SHIPPEN,  AT 
PLUMLEY  FARM,  WESTON  TOWNSHIP,  CHESTER  COUNTY, 
penn' A. 

Camp*  at  Cherry's  Mill,  on  Jacobs'  Creek,  which  falls  into 
the  Youghiogeny,  after  being  the  boundary  line  between 
Westmoreland  and  Fayette,  for  a  considerable  distance. 
Cherry's  Mill  is  at  the  point  where  Jacobs'  Creek  begins 
to  be  the  boundary  line. 

Mount  Pleasant  Tovmship,  Oct.  31s<,  1794. 

My  Dear  Father  : — I  am  now  seated  in  our  tent,  sur- 
rounded by  two  or  three  of  my  companions,  while  the  re- 

*  For  a  full  and  careful  account  of  this  insurrection,  see  Whar- 
ton's State  Trials. 


295 

raaiader  of  tlic  teu  are  finisbiug  their  suppers,  composed  of 
chocolate,  bread  and  butter,  and  the  remnants  of  a  chicken 
or  two,  which  gratified  our  palates  at  noon.  Thc}^  are  sup- 
ping on  a  little  scaffold,  erected  by  way  of  sunshine  table, 
at  the  door,  and  the  talking  and  laughing  of  those  around, 
and  two  different  songs,  one  from  each  of  the  neighboring 
tents,  combined  at  once  in  my  ear,  would  perhaps  entirely 
incapacitate  me  for  writing  or  thinking  at  all,  but  that  I 
have  been  so  used  to  it  for  about  two  weeks  past,  that  I 
scarcely  know  that  I  am  in  the  midst  of  it.  Having  begun 
as  I  have,  I  might  add  before  I  proceed,  that,  by  way  of  table, 
I  have  placed  on  my  lap  a  little  board,  that  was  yesterday 
morning  the  cover  of  a  provision  box  for  our  mess,  which 
had  the  ill  fortune  to  be  staved  to  pieces,  among  some  other 
damage  done  to  the  property  of  our  company,  occasioned  by 
the  oversetting  of  our  wagon  yesterday.  And  I  cannot  help 
thanking  you,  sir,  just  in  this  place,  for  your  thoughtfulness 
and  kindness  in  sending  me  your  little  green  waxen  taper, 
which  serves  me  as  light  on  this  occasion,  as  were  it  not  for 
its  aid,  I  should  be  obliged  to  postpone  writing  till  morning. 
You  will  naturally  inquire  how  I  come  to  have  nine  compa- 
nions as  messmates.  It  is  owing  to  a  circumstance  of  which 
I  have  yet  to  inform  you.  At  Carlisle  there  became  by 
the  arrangements,  a  number  of  supernumerary  officers,  from 
colonels  to  ensigns.  I  was  one  among  the  number,  and  con- 
ceived it  my  duty  to  join,  as  a  private,  some  volunteer 
company.  I  accordingly  proceede^l  from  thence  to  Bedford, 
to  join  Captain  Graham's  company,  of  Macpherson's  bat- 
talion of  Blues,  as  a  private.  General  Hand,  with  his  usual 
kindness,  assured  me  that  if  it  was  in  his  power,  he  would 
endeavor,  in  case  of  a  vacancy,  to  get  me  an  appointment. 
I  overtook  Graham  on  my  way  to  Bedford  ;  and  proceeding 


296 

on,  I  overtook  Gen.  Proctor  at  Hartley's.  His  attention 
and  civility  I  cannot  soon  forget,  especially  after  I  had  satis- 
fied his  curiosity  and  inquiries  respecting  my  coming  on  be- 
fore the  troops.  The  General  asked  me  to  ride  together 
with  him  to  Bedford ;  which  I  did,  where  we  arrived  before 
any  of  the  army.  On  our  ride  the  General  expressed  his 
satisfaction  at  my  determination  to  come  forward  and  go  on  as 
a  private,  instead  of  returning  home  as  some  of  the  supernu- 
merary officers  did.  And,  when  I  think  or  speak  of  super- 
numerary officers,  I  cannot  help  informing  you  that  the 
Governor  has  really  very  ill  used  the  supernumerary  officers, 
by  taking  no  notice  of  them,  while  he  gave  some  privates 
command  and  posts,  which  afterwards  appeared  as  vacancies. 
The  Governor  is,  in  my  opinion,  an  electioneering,  cunning, 
contrary  [dog,]  and  I  know  not  what  kind  of  little  fel- 
low, who  has,  particularly  on  this  occasion,  hurt  himself  so 
much  by  his  conduct  that  it  will,  perhaps,  be  with  some  diffi- 
culty he  will  again  be  Governor,  provided  any  popular  man 
opposes  him.  For  my  part,  I  must  have  some  reason  for 
altering  my  opinion,  if  I  ever  vote  for  him  as  such,  for  I 
think  I  have  found  out  his  real  character;  but  I  will  say  no 
more  on  that  score  at  present.  When  I  found  that  neither 
Captain  Graham  nor  myself  could  contrive  any  mode  of 
taking  on  my  mare,  so  as  to  draw  forage  for  her  if  I  joined 
his  company ;  and  when  I  found  that  I  could  procure  no 
satisfactory  quarters  for  her  at  Bedford,  I  then  determined 
on  joining  our  Chester  County  dragoons,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Major  McClellan.  In  this  situation  I  now  am  very 
well,  hearty,  and  happy,  in  a  mess  with  Major  Humphreys, 
Col.  Whelen,  Samuel  Dennis,  Dr.  Kennedy,  Joseph  Dil- 
worth,  William  Kinnard,  Samuel  Entriken,  Willis  Hemp- 
hill, &c. 


What,  with  cooking,  eating,  feeding,  currj'ing  and  water- 
ing our  horses,  procuring  our  oats  and  hay,  and  furnishing 
them,  attending  roll,  standing  guard,  making  our  beds, 
and  riding  out  in  the  country  by  turns  to  procure  such 
necessaries  as  we  want  and  to  get  our  clothes  washed,  it 
consumes  the  whole  day;  and  when  we  march  it  requires  the 
most  indefatigable  exertions  to  have  everything  go  smooth. 
If  this  were  not  the  case,  we  should  be  unhappy.  This  keeps 
our  bodies,  and  consequently  our  minds,  fully  employed. 

Things  are  most  amazingly  dear.  Some  have  been  so 
unconscionable  as  to  demand  2s.  4d.,  and  3s.  Qd , 
for  a  quart  of  whiskey,  Gs.  and  9s.,  for  a  dozen  of  washing, 
counting  a  pair  of  stockings  as  two  pieces.  We  have,  how- 
ever, reduced  those  prices  somewhat,  by  declaring  we  would 
not  be  imposed  on. 

I  saw  bread,  a  small  heavy  rye  loaf,  worth  Sd.,  sold  for 
Is.  10^0?.  We  have  plenty  of  beef  and  flour,  sometimes 
we  are  lucky  enough  to  draw  bread.  Hay  and  oats  have 
been  the  scarcest,  sometimes  we  have  not  drawn  more  than 
four,  sometimes  six,  though  generally  nine  quarts  a  day. 
Hay  has  been  less  plenty.  However,  we  are  now  getting  in 
a  more  plentiful  country.  Our  marches  are  excessively  slow, 
and  tiresome.  We  have  sat  on  our  horses,  six,  seven,  and 
eight  hours  at  a  time,  and. in  the  rain;  and  made  but  eight, 
nine,  and  ten  miles  a  day,  on  account  of  the  wagons  and 
foot,  than  which  we  must  not  go  faster.  One  night,  and 
that  the  worst  since  I  left  home,  we  slept  on  straw  at  the 
fire,  covered  by  blanketing,  without  tents,  the  wagons  not 
being  able  to  reach  us,  and  I  believe  not  a  single  person 
experienced  the  slightest  injury  from  it. 

In  what  manner  to  give  you  a  concise  history  or  account 
of  the  army  in  general,  T  am  at  a  loss.    However,  I  may 


298 

mention  that  the  President  was  at  Carlisle,  and  made  some 
arrangements  (not  respecting  officers,)  but  the  modes  and 
measures  to  be  pursued.  From  there  he  went  to  Cumber- 
land fort,  where  General  Morgan  was,  with  his  Virginia 
troops  at  that  time.  Having,  I  supposed  arranged  matters 
there,  he  came  to  Bedford,  and  from  thence,  after  two  or 
three  days'  stay,  returned  to  the  city.  His  conduct,  his 
appearance,  his  dignity,  and  affability  of  demeanor,  struck 
admiration  in  a  number  of  beholders  who  then  saw  him  for 
the  first  time. 

General  Lee  is  Commander-in-chief  when  the  army  comes 
together,  (which)  I  cannot  say  when  or  where  it  will  be. 
We  are  all  of  us,  and  have  been  all  along  in  the  dark,  as  to 
every  thing  future,  even  our  next  day's  march. 

Governor  Mifflin  is  second  in  command.  Governor  Howell 
commands  the  Jersey  line.  We,  and  all  the  county  troops 
of  horse  in  Pennsylvania,  except  the  Lancaster,  and  three 
Philadelphia  troops  are  attached  to  the  Jersey  horse,  and 
under  his  command,  the  more  immediately  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  White,  of  the  horse.  General  Frelinghuy- 
sen  commands  the  advanced  part  of  the  army,  consisting  of 
Macpherson's  Blues,  Taylor's  Rifle  Corps,  the  three  Phila- 
delphia companies  of  horse,  and  Captain  Kenney's,  of  Jersey. 

The  next  in  advance  is  General  Howell's  command,  and 
the  last  Mifflin,  Irwin,  and  Proctor's  Brigade,  and  park  of 
artillery,  although  at  present  they  have  made  a  kind  of 
junction,  as  we  are  all  within  the  space  of  three  miles.  At 
Bennett's,  about  three  or  four  miles  from  Bedford,  we  all 
turned  off  to  the  left,  and  left  the  Pennsylvania  road,  bending 
our  course  to  the  Glades  and  Berlin.  When  we  had  reached 
the  top  of  the  Alleghany  mountains,  the  road  again  divided, 
and  there  we  took  the  right,  leaving  Berlin  on  our  left,  while 


209 

Mifl3in's  command  took  the  left,  and  proceeded  through 
Berlin,  which  same  road  General  Frelinghuysen  had  marched 
the  day  before,  most  terrible  roads  indeed  :  but  these  and 
other  particulars  I  leave  to  relate  when  I  have  the  pleasure 
of  sitting  around  our  happy  fire-side  at  Plumley.  Parkinson's 
Ferry  is  supposed  to  be  the  place  where  the  whole  junction 
of  the  different  armies  will  take  place.  It  is,  I  believe,  a 
little  north  of  west,  about  twenty-five  miles  distance. 

At  Carlisle,  (I  believe,)  one  or  two  persons  were  taken 
hold  of  as  Whiskey-men,  (for  that  is  our  term,)  but  at 
Bedford,  twelve  or  fifteen  were  taken  prisoners,  four  of  whom 
were  sent  on  to  Philadelphia,  as  the  most  infamous  and 
criminal  of  them,  the  others  were  admitted  to  bail.  Judge 
Peters,  and  Attorney  Eawle,  and  Attorney-General  IngersoU, 
are  with  the  army. 

The  horse  scour  the  country  and  bring  in  these  prisoners. 
Harman  Husbands,  one  of  the  four  above,  was  brought  by 
the  horse  forty  miles  to  Bedford  from  the  Glades. 

I  believe  I  am  accurate  when  I  say  there  are  about  1300 
dragoons  of  the  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  lines.  As  to  the 
Virginia  and  Maryland  horse  we  know  not,"  but  hear  they 
are  about  5  or  600.  As  to  the  foot  of  the  Pennsylvania  line 
and  Jersey  line,  they  amount  to  about  5000.  We  are  now 
about  seventy  miles  from  Bedford,  and  forty  from  Pittsburgh, 
at  Cherry  Mill,  on  Jacobs'  creek,  which  I  trust  you  will  find 
on  the  map. 

At  Shippensburg  the  army  parted  — the  horse  all  went 
by  Chambersburg — the  foot,  by  Strasburg.  Capt.  Rippey 
takes  the  lot  at  £20  per  acre ;  as  I  found  great  necessity 
for  it,  he  advanced  me  forty  dollars,  with  much  pleasure 
and  readiness.  I  saw  Major  Galbraeth,  who  informs  me  he 
had  seen  James  Buchanan,  who   promised   him    that   he 


300 

would  take  particular  pains  to  search  for  papers,  relative  to 
your  lands,  among  the  papers  of  his  brother  John;  and  that 
he  would  call  upon  you  with  them,  the  first  time  he  came 
to  the  city.  I  saw  James  Buchanan  yesterday,  by  acci- 
dent, about  two  or  three  miles  from  here,  when  I  was  out 
for  necessaries,  and  he  repeated  the  above  promise;  he 
added,  he  wished  he  had  the  names  called  for  in  the  war- 
rants. I  referred  him  to  Col.  George  Woods.  I  saw  Judge 
James  Webb  at  Bedford,  who  beliavcd  with  his  former 
steadiness  and  kindness;  he  says  his  brother's  illness  pre- 
vented him  from  preparing  his  business,  as  soon  as  he 
otherwise  would  have  done,  for  his  journey  to  the  city :  but 
that  he  is  perfectly  recovered,  and  expects  to  go  to  the  city 
in  the  course  of  some  weeks,  wlien  he  will  certainly  call  on 
you. 

P.  S.  We  have  had  ten  days  of  bad  weather;  every  day 
more  or  less  rain  —  sun  shines  one  moment  —  rain  in  ten 
afterwards.  I  never  saw  a  country  like  it.  The  boundary 
line  between  Westmoreland  and  Fayette,  is  the  road  from 
Berlin  to  Cherry's  mill — thence  Jacobs'  creek  to  Yough- 
iogeny  —  thence,  a  straight  line,  a  little  N.  of  W.  to  the 
Monongahela,  south  of  Parkinson's  ferry.  I  suppose  your 
old  map  has  not  particulars  on  it. 


JOHN    SHIPPEN,    TO     HIS    FATHER,    COL.    JOSEPH    SHIPPEN, 
AT   PLUMLEY   FARM. 

Fittsburgli,  November  15t7i,  1794. 
Camp  near  the  town. 

Dear  and  Honored  Sir  : — I  am  sorry  I  have  not  been 
able  to  have  written  to  you  oftener  than  I  have.     You  all 


may,  however,  be  assured  that  it  was  not  because  I  thought 
the  less  frequently  of  you.  The  seldomness  of  an  opportuni- 
ty, the  real  want  of  time,  and  sometimes  the  hurry  and 
flurry  of  the  camp,  and  at  other  times  of  our  tent,  are  some 
circumstances  that  have  prevented  my  enjoying  the  agreea- 
ble exercise. 

I  wrote  you  from  the  camp  at  Cherry's  mill,  favored  by 
Mr.  Hunt  Downing,  and  gave  you,  as  near  as  I  could,  the 
situation  and  motions  of  the  army.  I  find  I  was  somewhat 
mistaken  as  to  some  of  my  conjectures.  The  main  body  of 
the  army,  (I  mean  the  Pennsylvania  and  Jersey  lines,)  is 
now  within  four  miles  of  this  place.  We,  and  the  Lancaster 
troops,  commanded  by  Captain  Coleman,  and  the  Pennsylva- 
nia horse,  are  encamped  on  the  Alleghany,  about  one  mile 
from  the  town.  Some  of  the  Virginia  and  Maryland  line 
yet  lay,  I  believe,  between  the  Youghiogeny  and  Monon- 
gahela,  some  at  Parkinson's  Ferry,  and  some  at  Washing- 
ton ;  to  which  last  place  I  believe,  the  advance  of  our  line 
has  marched.  What  regular  general  plan  of  operations  is 
adopted,  or  has  for  some  time  guided  the  motion  of  the 
army,  no  inquiry,  that  I  can  with  propriety  make,  has 
discovered.  At  Carnatan's  tavern,  about  three  miles  from 
Burd's,  and  the  same  from  Simmerel's  Ferry  on  the  Youghio- 
geny, we  were  encamped  about  six  days.  This  last  encamp- 
ment is  about  thirteen  miles  from  Cherry's  mill,  on  the 
road  to  the  above  ferries.  At  Cherry's  mill  we  laid  about 
the  same  space  of  time.  Our  horse  arrived  here  two  or 
three  days  ago,  and  the  foot  since.  When  we  shall  return  is 
yet  not  known,  or  what  quantity  of  business  remains  yet  to 
be  done  is  all  dark  to  us.  Upwards  of  twenty  prisoners,  I 
understand,  have  been  taken  near  and  about  Parkinson's 
ferry,  by  the  Maryland  and  Virginia  horse,  and  several  in 


302 

and  about  Washington  by  some  of  the  troops,  but  which  I 
have  not  learnt. 

Nine  prisoners  were  brought  the  other  night  by  some  of 
our  scouring  parties,  from  their  beds  in  this  town  to  the 
Pennsylvania  camp  before  they  reached  this  encampment, 
and  are  now  under  guard. 

It  is  surprising  and  laughable,  that  in  this  country, 
every  body  tells  you  they  were  forced  by  threats  to  go  to 
such  and  such  place,  and  they  talk  violently  against  the 
proceedings  of  Tom  Tinker's  men,  (for  that  is  the  name  of 
the  Whiskey-boys  now,)  and  when  you  ask  them,  where  are 
the  persons  that  threatened  them,  and  that  were  principals, 
"  Oh  !  they  are  run  off;"  which  is  not  altogether  untrue, 
for  numbers  have  fled,  but  numbers  of  those  that  remain 
are  as  guilty  as  they. 

I  am  told  that  a  man  by  the  name  of  Hamilton  in 
Washington  county,  who  had  been  very  active  in  the  late 
disturbances,  was  informed  on.  A  person  who  knew  him 
well,  undertook  to  describe  his  dress.  A  number  of  troops 
were  set  to  guard  the  house,  and  if  he  came  out  and  attempted 
flight,  their  orders  were  to  shoot  him.  In  the  mean  time 
the  cunning  rogue  was  busy  changing  his  dress  for  that  of 
some  domestic,  very  different  from  his  own,  and  walked  out 
the  house  with  apparent  carelessness  and  unconcern,  and 
spoke  with  the  soldiers  and  officers,  and  indeed  answered 
some  questions  that  they  put  to  him  regarding  Hamilton, 
with  such  adroitness,  that  he  escaped  through  them,  and  fled. 
This  story  seems  improbable,  but  I  am  told  it  is  true. 
Pittsburgh  is  a  handsome  situation.  I  think  I  never  saw 
two  more  beautiful  rivers  than  the  Monongahela  and  Alle- 
ghaney ;  I  may  add  as  a  third,  Youghiogeny,  which  did  my 
heart  good  when  I  saw  it,  at  the  recollection  of  your  former 


303 

adventures  before  I  was  in  being.  Pittsburgh  is  amazingly 
crowded  with  quarters  of  Generals,  Colonels,  Aid-de-Camps, 
and  other  officers;  the  people  are  afraid  of  being  eaten  up 
if  the  army  should  rest  here,  but  I  believe  there  is  not  the 
most  distant  danger. 

Inaccuracies  you  will  pardon ;  though  I  should  read 
over  my  letter  ten  times  if  I  could,  I  fear  they  would 
escape  my  notice  at  present. 


MARQUIS  OF  LANSDOWNE  TO    MAJOR  WM.  JACKSON, 
AT   PHILADELPHIA. 

Bowood  Park,  October  10th,  1796. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  trouble  you  with  the  enclosed  letter,  from 
a  very  particular  friend  of  mine,  who  is  in  every  respect  to 
be  depended  upon. 

General  Washington  may  perhaps  not  be  sorry  to  know 
the  circumstances  contained  in  it  —  in  which  case,  I  am 
sure  they  cannot  find  their  way  to  him  through  a  more  dis- 
creet channel  than  yours.  He  best  knows  the  degree  of  im- 
portance which  may  attach  to  the  personage  in  question, 
which  is  considered  by  many  well-informed  persons,  as  con- 
siderable ;  and  I  am  certain  that  his  magnanimity  and  wis- 
dom render  all  solicitation  on  this,  or  any  such  occasion, 
altogether  impertinent. 

I  shall  be  much  obliged  to  you  likewise,  to  communicate 
the  enclosed  to  Mr.  Bingham,  with  my  very  best  com- 
pliments. I  add  no  observations  on  the  state  of  public 
affairs — not  knowing  when  or  how  this  may  reach  you. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem  and  regard,  dear  sir. 

Your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

LANSDOWNE. 


304 

MR.    COUTTS   TO    LORD   LANSDOWNE. 
(Enclosed  in  the  foregoing  Letter.) 

Clifton,  October  lOlh,  1796. 

My  Lord  : — I  believe  I  have  had  occasion  to  mention  to 
your  lordship  the  intimate  acquaintance  I  have  ■with  the 
eldest  son  of  the  late  Duke  of  Orleans ;  and  I  imagine  the 
amiable  charactey  of  the  Duchess,  his  mother,  is  not 
unknown  to  you.  I  never  knew  much,  personally,  of  the 
father;  —  and  can  only  say,  if  he  deserves  the  bad  cha- 
racter I  have  often  heard  of  him,  he  resembles  very 
little  his  eldest  son,  who,  I  believe — those  who  know  them 
most  intimately,  will  agree  with  me  —  possesses  the  most 
engaging  qualities,  accompanied  with  the  modesty  becoming 
his  years.  He  has  constantly  written  to  me  since  the 
French  Revolution,  and  his  conduct  has  been  exemplary. 
He  fought  and  behaved  bravely,  for  the  liberties  of  his 
country,  till  the  murder  of  the  king.  He  then  left  the 
army,  and  has  lived  in  the  greatest  obscurity,  on  the  most 
slender  means.  The  most  virtuous  characters  are  too  often 
calumniated.  He  has,  to  my  knowledge,  been  hiding  him- 
self in  Lapland,  unknowing  and  unknown  to  almost  every- 
body— at  the  same  time  that  pamphlets  and  newspapers 
have  placed  him  at  Hamburgh  and  elsewhere,  contriving 
with  Dumourier  plans  of  ambition — which  he  never  thought 
of.  The  mother  has  lately  procured  the  release  from  prison 
of  her  two  younger  sons,  who  are  to  go  to  America  ;*  and 
the  eldest,  for  whom  I  am  interested,  has,  from  dutiful 

*In  the  Directory  for  1798,  after 

"Dennis,  Mr.,  Tai/lor,  Pewter  Platter  Alley,"  appears  the  fol- 
lowing : 

"  Dorleans,  Messrs.,  Merchants,  rear  100  South  Fourth  street." 

These  were  Louis  Phillipe  and  one  of  his  brothers,  who  lived  at 
the  north-west  corner  of  Fourth  and  Prune  streets,  in  a  house  still 
standing,  and  now  number  110. — N.  and  Q.,  vol.  viii,  p.  168. 


805 

compliance  with  her  orders,  and  to  place  himself  out  of  all 
suspicion  of  European  plots,  set  sail  in  an  American  ship 
lately  from  Hamburgh,  for  Philadelphia.  Setting  aside  my 
personal  affection  for  this  young  man,  his  misfortunes  claim 
some  regard  from  the  world,  so  long  as  his  conduct  continues 
such  as  to  deserve  it,  as  hitherto  it  has  invariably  done. 
Your  lordship  knows  he  was  born  Due  de  Chartres ;  and  he 
does  not  mean  to  be  unknown  for  who  he  is  in  America, 
though  he  may  find  it  convenient  to  assume  a  less  brilliant 
name;  his  wish  being  privaci/,  suited  to  the  unhappy 
reverse  of  his  fortune. 

Under  his  uncommon  calamitous  fortune,  I  am  confident 
your  lordship  would  be  glad  to  serve  him — and  it  may  be 
of  great  service,  if  you  can  procure  for  him  a  good  recom- 
mendation to  General  Washington — also,  that  you  would 
recommend  him  to  any  of  your  friends  in  the  mercantile, 
or  other  respectable  lines  of  life,  at  Philadelphia. 

I  flatter  myself,  with  your  usual  kindness  to  me,  you 
will  excuse  my  writing  to  you  in  favor  of  a  young  person, 
for  whom  I  have  a  very  sincere  regard;  and  believe  the 
sentiments  of  respect  with  which  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
my  lord. 

Your  lordship's 

Most  faithful  and  obedient  servant, 

THOMAS  COUTTS. 

Any  letters  I  procure  for  him,  I  mean  not  to  send 
him  to  deliver,  but  to  send  them  by  the  packet;  and  so 
leave  it  to  the  option  of  those  they  are  addressed  to,  to 
take  notice  of  my  young  friend,  or  not,  as  they  think 
proper. 


306 


I  shall,  however,  inform  him  that  such  letters  have  been 
written  in  his  favor,  and  by  whom.* 


THE  MARQUIS  OF  LANSDOWNE  TO  MAJOR  WILLIAM  JACKSON, 
AT   PniLADELPHIA. 

London,  March  bth,  1797. 

Dear  Sir: — Col.  Markland  and  Mr.  Richards  arrived 
together,  which  brought  me  the  favor  of  your  two  letters  of 
the  28th  November.  I  never  received  that  to  which  you 
allude ;  which,  with  some  others,  I  have  reason  to  believe 
were  either  stopped  or  miscarried.  But  I  have  received  the 
picture,^  which  is  in  every  respect  worthy  of  the  original. 
I  consider  it  as  a  very  magnificent  compliment,  and  the 
respect  I  have  for  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bingham  will  always 
enhance  the  value  of  it  to  me  and  my  family.  I  have  just 
had  the  honor  of  writing  to  Mrs.  Bingham  my  acknowledg- 
ments, but  must  depend  on  your  making  my  excuses  for  not 
writing  instantly,  which  can  only  be  excused  by  the  fact  of 
an  almost  unceasing  pain  in  my  head.  I  am  not  alarmed  at 
it,  because  I  know  the  cause  and  the  remedy,  which  last  con- 
sists in  the  Bath  water,  with  constant  air,  exercise  and  per- 
fect leisure;  but  nothing  could  cure  me,  if  Mrs.  Bingham 
thought  me  wanting  for  a  moment.  This  state  of  health, 
and  many  other  circumstances,  would  make  me  consider  it 
as  a  great  calamity  to  return  to  my  public  situation.  I  know 
but  one  circumstance  which  could  reconcile  me  to  it,  which 
is  next  to  impossible :  that  I  could  have  it  in  my  power  to 

*  An  outline  of  his  adventures  in  America  is  to  be  found  in  the 
spirited  article  on  Louis  Phillippe,  reprinted  from  the  London 
Times,  in  Appleton's  Library. 

f  Portrait  of  Gen.  Washington,  by  Stuart. 


307 

introduce  a  little  more  civilization  among  nations,  and  to 
put  war  at  a  greater  distance.  The  -weakness  of  Govern- 
ment and  the  extreme  popularity  of  the  sea  service,  added 
to  old  and  false  prejudices  and  habits,  makes  it  difficult  to 
render  the  commerce  of  neutral  nations  as  sacred  as  it  ought 
to  be,  but  nothing  should  detain  me  from  the  attempt,  if  I 
saw  a  probability  of  succeeding.  I  cannot  express  to  you 
the  satisfaction  I  have  felt  in  seeing  the  forts  given  up.  I 
may  tell  you,  in  confidence,  what  may  astonish  you  as  it  did 
me,  that  up  to  the  very  last  debate  in  the  House  of  Lords, 
the  ministry  did  not  appear  to  comprehend  the  policy  vipon 
which  the  boundary  line  was  drawn,  and  persist  in  still 
considering  it  as  a  measure  of  necessity,  not  of  choice.  How- 
ever, it  is  now  indiifcrent  who  understands  it.  The  deed  is 
done,  and  a  strong  foundation  laid  for  eternal  amity  between 
England  and  America. 

General  Washington's  conduct  is  above  all  praise.  He 
has  left  a  noble  example  to  sovereigns  and  nations,  present 
and  to  come.  I  beg  you  will  mention  both  me  and  my  sons 
to  him  in  the  most  respectful  terms  possible.  If  I  was  not 
too  old,  I  would  go  to  Virginia  to  do  him  homage.  I  am 
extremely  obliged  to  your  kindness  and  hospitality  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Rigal.  I  believe  them  to  be  very  worthy  people. 
I  beg  to  be  remembered  to  them. 

Mr.  Richards  appears  a  worthy,  unaffected  person.  His 
stay  in  town  was  so  short,  that  I  did  not  see  as  much  of  him 
as  I  desired  to  do,  but  he  has  promised  to  come  to  me  in  the 
country. 

Though  I  have  not  the  honor  of  being  known  to  Mrs. 
Jackson,  I  beg  to  offer  my  best  wishes  for  her  happiness, 
and  that  you  will  believe  me  always. 

Your  most  faithful  servant, 

LANSDOWNE. 


308 

CHARLES   COTESWORTH   PINCKNEY   TO    MAJOR    JACKSON, 
(in    the    customs,)    PHILADELPHIA, 

Head  Quarters,  at  Shepherd's  Town, 

May  15,  1800. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  am  exceedingly  obliged  to  you  for  a  copy 
of  the  very  elegant,  pathetic  and  eloquent  discourse  you 
pronounced  on  our  deceased  Patron,  Father  and  Friend.  You 
knew  him  nearly  and  well,  and  could  best  declare  his  worth. 
I  was  greatly  pleased  when  I  first  heard  the  Cincinnati  had 
entrusted  his  eulogy  to  your  talents,  but  I  was  enthusias- 
tically delighted  and  affected  when  I  perused  your  admirable 
oration.     Again  and  again,  I  thank  you  for  it. 

What  news  from  our  envoys,  or  from  Europe,  or  of  our 
domestic  politics  ? 

The  only  injury  we  can  now  receive  from  the  French  is 
by  their  making  a  treaty  with  us ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  but 
that  they  will  complete  the  plan  of  their  politics  towards 
this  country,  by  making  such  a  one  as  will  consequently 
draw  us  into  a  war  with  the  coalition  powers,  or  disarm, 
lull  and  completely  humbug  us,  and  afterwards  observe  it 
as  long  as  they  deem  convenient.  What  are  the  Disunion- 
ists  about  ?  I  trust  the  Federalists  will  not  be  over  supine. 
When  you  have  a  leisure  minute,  devote  me  a  line,  and  let 
me  know  what  is  going  on.  Mrs.  Pinckney  and  my  daugh- 
ters, unite  with  me  in  best  compliments  to  Mrs.  Jackson  and 
yourself,  and  we  beg  you  will  tender  them,  on  our  part,  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bingham  and  their  family. 

I  remain,  with  great  regard. 

Yours,  truly, 
CHARLES  COTESWORTH  PINCKNEY. 


309 

JOHN   SniPPEN  TO  HIS    FATHER,    COL.  JOSEPH   SHIPPEN,  AT 
PLUMLEY,    CHESTER   CO.,    PENNA. 

ShippenshurgTi,  December  \^th,  1801. 

Dear  and  Hon.  Sir  : — "When  on  the  point  of  setting  out 
to  the  Federal  city,  on  the  26th  October,  I  waited  till  the 
arrival  of  the  mail  in  hopes  of  receiving  a  letter  from  you  on 
your  return  from  Philadelphia  to  Plumley.  The  mail  did 
not  disappoint  my  hopes,  but  brought  me  long,  affectionate, 
satisfactory  letters  from  you  and  sister  Peggy,  both  of  which 
I  acknowledged  by  letter  by  Mr.  Hall. 

I  then  set  out,  and  reached  Chambersburg  that  evening. 
I  went  by  way  of  Hagerstown,  Fredericktown,  Montgomery 
Court  House,  and  Georgetown.  After  two  or  three  days' 
stay  at  the  city  of  Washington,  I  accomplished  the  objects 
of  my  mission  thither ;  and,  being  but  thirty  miles  from 
West  river,  I  paid  my  relations  there  a  visit,  staying  three 
days  with  them,  and  proceeding  home  by  the  way  of  Anna- 
polis and  Baltimore,  having  been  absent  thirteen  days. 

The  city  of  Washington  is  elegantly  situated  as  to  inland 
view,  and  valuable  as  not  being  accessible  by  weighty,  foreign 
men-of-war,  and  of  being  so  distant  from  the  sea  coast  up  in 
the  bosom  of  the  country,  as  to  be  easy  of  defence,  and  diffi- 
cult of  attack  by  foreign  invaders.  Many  merchants  of 
capital  must  establish  themselves  there,  and  many  Pennsyl- 
vania, German  or  other  industrious  tillers  of  smaller  farms 
than  are  usually  seen  in  Maryland  or  Virginia,  must  plant 
themselves  in  the  surrounding  country,  before  this  great 
city  can  bid  fair  to  progress. 

How  far  these  will  be  equally  consequences  as  causes  of  its 
progress,  is  a  matter  of  curious  discussion.  The  truth  is, 
everything  must  go  hand  in  hand,  and  the  warm  advocates 
of  that  spot  must  not  barely  content  themselves  with  building 


and  improving  the  city,  but  should  lend  their  attention 
seriously  to  the  encouragement  of  merchants  and  farmers. 
Navigation  and  agriculture  are  the  sources  from  vyhence 
must  princijially  spring  the  advantages  and  greatness  of  any 
city.  The  plan  is  very  extensive,  and  occupies  a  great  space 
of  country.  Already  (it  is  calculated,  and  I  believe  it)  one 
thousand  houses  have  been  built  there.  These  present 
themselves  to  one's  view  as  a  number  of  small  villages,  in 
respect  of  the  scattered  position  of  the  houses ;  the  most  of 
"which,  however,  are  large  and  elegant.  The  lots  and  squares 
are,  in  my  opinion,  much  too  small,  and  are  inconvenient 
for  the  want  of  alleys.  I  went  by  water  to  Alexandria,  a 
very  regularly  built,  handsome  town.  I  returned  by  land 
on  the  Virginia  side ;  from  many  hills  on  the  road,  we  had 
fine  prospects  of  the  city  of  Washington,  esj)ecially  of  the 
President's  house  and  of  the  Capitol.  In  planning  and 
plotting  this  city,  and  fixing  the  places  for  the  public  build- 
ings, more  attention  was  paid  to  the  nature  of  the  ground 
and  views,  than  to  any  previous  arrangement  on  paper  or 
distances,  and  the  sites  chosen  for  the  President's  house  and 
Capitol  are  the  highest,  and  considered  the  best  prospect. 
The  distance  between  them  is  at  least  a  mile.  At  a  future 
day,  when  this  city  shall  flourish  and  be  generally  pretty 
close  built,  it  will  have  the  advantage  of  most  other  cities  in 
the  world,  in  being  all  of  a  piece,  and  preserving  the  sym- 
metry of  a  great  original  project.  The  public  buildings  are 
neither  central  nor  convenient.  The  President's  house,  out- 
side, exhibits  great  grandeur  and  simplicity  of  architecture. 
The  inside  (I  went  through  it)  is  not  equal  to  my  expecta- 
tions. The  Capitol  is  only  part  built ;  from  this,  I  can 
judge  of  the  intended  whole.  Its  architecture  is  not  so 
simple;  I  think  its  decorations  of  wreaths  and  flowers,  etc., 
cut  in  stone,  are  rather  too  profuse.     It  is,  however,  grand. 


311 

It  struck  me,  the  windows  of  the  Capitol  had  the  appearance 
of  being  rather  small  for  the  building. 

I  was  very  much  pleased  with  its  inside.  The  senate 
chamber  is  the  most  superb  and  grand  room,  and  its  archi- 
tecture the  most  noble  and  elegant  of  any  I  ever  saw.  These 
two  buildings  are  of  a  squared  free  stone,  not  a  pure  white, 
rather  on  the  greyish  order,  or  a  tinge  towards  lead.  They 
yield  much  to  the  marble  of  the  Bank  of  Philadelphia. 
Three  miles  from  Georgetown,  just  at  the  head  of  tide  water, 
and  at  what  are  called  the  little  falls,  a  bridge  of  single  arch 
crosses  the  Potomac.  It  is  composed  of  wood ;  erected  by 
one  Palmer,  from  Connecticut.  I  was  told  that  it  was  formed 
by  him  in  Connecticut  and  shipped  in  pieces.  The  abut- 
ments are  a  huge  pile  of  massy  square  stones  bolted  together 
with  great  iron  pins,  and  melted  lead,  a  novel  sight  to  me, 
and  I  take  it,  capable  of  resisting  the  most  swollen  floods  of 
water.  The  Virginia  side  a  high  bank,  Maryland  side,  low 
base  of  immovable,  large  and  deep  rocks.  The  fact  is,  here 
the  Potomac  is  narrow  and  deep.  People  were  busied  in 
repairing  the  locks  of  the  canal  at  the  upper  or  great  falls. 
I  was  very  affectionately  and  kindly  received  and  treated  by 
my  uncle  Galloway,  and  my  other  relations  at  West  River. 
I  lodged  at  my  uncle's,  but  he  and  I  divided  our  time  between 
his  house,  Tulip  Hill,  and  Mrs.  Cheston's.  Mrs.  Cheston  is 
an  uncommonly  fine  woman,  and  her  daughters  two  of  the 
most  sensible  young  women  I  know.  I  felt  extremely  at 
home  at  these  places,  reflecting  almost  every  moment  that 
my  dear  mother  had  been  wont  in  her  innocent  youth  to 
frequent  them,  and  that  she  drew  her  first  breath  at  West 
River. 

Last  evening  I  had  a  letter  from  uncle  Galloway,  dated 
Hagerstown,  11th  inst.     He  was  on  his  way  to  Cumberland 


312 

to  visit  his  daughter  Polly,  (who  married  Captain  Linn.) 
He  mentioned  his  son  John  being  with  him.  John  has 
just  returned  from  the  Mediterranean.  He  is  in  the  navy,  and 
partakes  of  the  honor  of  Captain  Sterritt  and  crew  in  the 
late  successful  engagement. 

Mrs.  Cheston  and  the  young  ladies  expressed  a  sincere 
desire  that  my  sister  Peggy  would  pay  them  a  visit.  This 
affectionate  wish  attached  me  still  more  to  them.  Mrs. 
Cheston  is  a  most  excellent  manager  of  her  farm  and  its 
concerns.  Her  farm  is  in  the  highest  cultivation  of  any  I 
observed  in  that  part  of  Maryland.  James  Cheston,  her 
only  son,  is  a  steady,  promising  young  man.  I  was  tired  of 
the  Maryland  gates,  but  not  of  their  oysters ;  which  we  had 
twice  a  day. 

Your  time,  when  in  Philadelphia,  must  indeed  have  been 
pretty  busily  engaged,  amidst  the  several  interesting  matters 
of  business,  and  the  many  friends  by  whom  you  would  be 
surrounded.  As  to  the  division  of  the  Pegs'  run  lots,  that 
may  be  somewhat  tedious,  but  you  will  have  fewer  obsta- 
cles to  combat.  As  to  the  sale  of  Plumley,  I  am  in  hopes 
you  will  be  able  to  get  your  price  for  it,  which,  in  my 
opinion,  is  not  one  farthing  too  high.  Suppose  you  should 
not  sell,  still  is  it  not  necessary  for  your  own  sake  and  sister 
Peggy's,  that  you  should  move  to  Lancaster  in  the  spring  ? 
I  would  give  my  vote  for  it.  I  am  a  friend  to  solitude,  but 
I  think  at  your  time  of  life  and  that  of  sister  Peggy,  espe- 
cially, when  distress  has  taken  some  possession  of  the  heart ; 
a  little  change  of  cheerful  company  is  absolutely  necessary. 


THE     END. 


* 


5p. 


THE  LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

Santa  Barbara 


STACK  COLLECTION 


^ 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW. 


RF 


ErDUCTo2  1S9S50 


UM^ySI|SITYXl?'  CALIFORI 
SAiTWEAEBAIiA,,   CA  93106 

10m-6,'62(C9724s4)476D 


f  o 


n 


3  1205  00215  9182 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


AA    000  879  645 


